Afridi calls for Pak's overall improvement in all three formats of game post ODI series loss to Bangladesh

In the wake of their humbling defeat to Bangladesh in the ODI series, Pakistan's Twenty20 team captain Shahid Afridi has called for an overall improvement in the nation's game, as the T20 squad departed for the one-off game to be played in Mirpur on Friday.

The recently retired ODI superstar stated that his charges were motivated despite the reversal against the hosts in the 50-over format.

The T20 skipper said that the overall game needs to improve and that means in all three departments, The Express Tribune reported.

Afridi, who has represented Pakistan in a record 77 T20 Internationals, wants the batsmen to take responsibility and bat in pairs to strengthen the perennial weakness of the team. He said that in any format, partnerships are the key, adding that he is not demanding century-plus partnerships, insisting that he wants the players to make significant contributions with the bat and even 40s and 50s matter a lot.

Afridi also said that he has worked hard on his bowling since returning from the World Cup and has his sights on the World Twenty20, set to be played in India next year, and wants to build a team for the premier event.

The all-rounder said that he is happy with the team that he has been given, adding that they might experiment if needed against Zimbabwe but the focus is to retain the core players who would be useful in the T20 world championships next year.