'We should stop thinking and concentrating on just India vs Pakistan match' - Shaheen Afridi sets sight on bigger picture as ODI World Cup approaches

Star Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was in exemplary form during his stint in the T20 Blast 2023 tournament in England. Playing for Nottinghamshire, the left-arm bowler picked up 22 wickets in just 14 matches.

One of the standout moments during his stint came in a match against Warwickshire where Afridi picked up four wickets in the first over. He became the first bowler to pick up four wickets in the first over in T20 cricket.

Afridi will be a key bowler for Pakistan when they travel to India to play the World Cup later this year. Pakistan begin their campaign in the showpiece event with a clash against one of the qualifying teams on October 6.

Meanwhile, the high-voltage clash against arch-rivals India will take place in Ahmedabad on October 15 at the Narendra Modi Stadium. This battle is highly-anticipated and carries a lot of importance for fans of both countries. Afridi, however, wants his team to focus on winning the tournament and not just against India.

"We should stop thinking and concentrating on just India versus Pakistan match because that’s just one game. We need to focus our thoughts on how to win the World Cup, and as a team, this will be our aim," Afridi was quoted as saying in a report by Cricket Pakistan.

I am fully fit: Shaheen Shah Afridi

Shaheen Shah Afridi missed a lot of cricket due to a knee injury he suffered last year. He returned to the Pakistan Super League and is now all set to don the international colours for the first time since the injury.

The seamer has been named in Pakistan's Test squad for the two-match Test series slated to be played against Sri Lanka this month. Afridi cleared all doubts regarding his fitness, stating that he is fully fit and ready to play for Pakistan.

"I am fully fit; that's why I'm back in the Test team. If I hadn't been fully match fit, my name wouldn't have been in the squad. I will be playing for Pakistan's national team, not for a club-level team."