Admitting that he is feeling the pressure of making a Test comeback after nearly four years, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said it would be difficult for his team to make the transition from limited overs cricket to the longer version of the game.
“Yes there is the pressure of once again playing Test cricket along with the pressures of leading the team as well,” Afridi said ahead of the first Test against Australia that begins at Lord's from today.
“Making a transition from T20 cricket and one—day cricket to Tests is not an easy job, especially for our team which has not played Tests that regularly as some of the other teams in the last three years,” he said.
Afridi last played a Test for Pakistan in the middle of 2006 in England and since then has either been ignored by the selectors or himself opted out to focus more on limited overs cricket.
“The boys realise that winning the T20 matches against Australia is a big confidence boost for us but Test matches would be a different story,” Afridi told the Geo Super channel from London.
“They know that they will have to play much harder and better in the Tests,” he added.
The Pakistan skipper said that beating Australia in Tests would not be a cakewalk as they are a very professional outfit.
“They are tough opponents in Test matches plus don't forget that our team is now in a rebuilding process and it is time we give the young players a fair chance to establish themselves and show their talent,” Afridi said.
He, however, said the Pakistani players were little disappointed not to have played the home Test series against Australia in their own country.
“But we all know that we will not be short of support at Lord's because we have always enjoyed great support from the Pakistani and Asian community in England,” Afridi said.
Afridi promised a closely contested series and said he is confident about his bowling department's good showing in the seam-friendly English conditions.
“We have a quality bowling attack when compared to Australia and if they bowl with discipline and commitment we can put up a good fight in the Test series,” he said.
