The flamboyant all-rounder has been originally picked up for the two T20 Internationals against India. The
Pakistan Cricket Board selectors dropped him from the squad for the three ODIs against India owing to his poor form over the past couple of years. In his last 16 One Day Internationals, the former Pakistan skipper has scored just 182 runs, with only one half century. He also failed to impress with his right-arm leg-spin.
However, Afridi has scored two half centuries in 50-over practice matches in the last three days, including a whirlwind 90 off just 64 deliveries, to catch the eyes of his ODI skipper. "If his form remains like this and we needed him, we will definitely consider him," said Misbah.
Ace England spinner Graeme Swann is confident his side will take the impressive Test form from India to the back-to-back Ashes series against Australia next year.
England beat India 2-1 in the recently concluded four-match series against India to clinch their first series on Indian soil since 1984-85. Swann, who took 20 wickets during the 2-1 series triumph, hailed the India series win as one of his best memories. However, he said that there was no match of winning an Ashes series.
“I'm already looking forward like an excited child to the back-to-back Ashes series in 2013. I just can't wait. The series win in India has given us the perfect launchpad for what should be another amazing cricketing year,” Swann wrote in the Sun.
“There is no doubt we will fancy our chances of retaining the little urn when Australia arrive in the summer - and keeping hold of it when we go Down Under next winter,” he added further.
India have called up Bangalore fast bowler Abhimanyu Mithun as replacement for the injured R Vinay Kumar ahead of the two T20 Internationals against England.
Vinay Kumar, who was last week called up as L Balaji’s replacement for the England T20s, has picked up a wrist injury and has been ruled out of action for two weeks.
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