"Pakistan ke liye khelta hon, Kaptani ke liye nahi," says Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has reiterated his commitment to representing Green Shirts, saying he doesn't play for personal ambitions like "captaincy".

"My job is to play cricket, I don't consider what people say," Afridi said while speaking to the media in Karachi during the final of the Shahid Afridi Foundation under-16 cricket tournament.

Talking about the importance of playing test matches for the cricketer, the 24-year-old fast bowler said that "red ball cricket is the real cricket, which improves skills."

Highlighting the importance of teamwork and unity among players, Afridi said: "The eleven players of the team should be good friends, if they play for the same country and team, they should be united."

Pakistan are all set to host Bangladesh for a two-match test series in August after almost four years.

When asked about his availability for the home series, the right-arm bowler said that he is available for the matches.

"I am not resting, I am available for selection. I play cricket for Pakistan, not for captaincy. For me, Pakistan comes first, then the team, then me."

In response to a question about criticism he has been facing since T20 World 2024 debacle, Afridi said: "Negative people come, but I only focus on my performance." 

'I will play proudly for my country, I will not even look at negative things," he added.