Kumble, Ahmed source of inspiration for Afridi

Lahore, May 12 (ANI): Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi is hoping to provide his team an edge with his bowling and not with his flamboyant batting during the forthcoming Twenty20 World Cup in England, as he is looking forward to gaining inspiration from two former world-class leg-spinners Anil Kumble and Mushtaq Ahmed.

Afridi said he is taking inspiration from Anil Kumble and Mushtaq Ahmed, both of whom have been very successful in England despite the conditions being unfavorable to spinners there.

"I think this summer it will be different as the tracks in England traditionally are not normally conducive to spin. However, I'll be looking to take my inspiration from the likes of India's Anil Kumble and Pakistan's Mushtaq Ahmad, both of whom have taken lots of wickets in England," The Daily Times quoted Afridi, as saying.

Afridi said with hosts England and the Netherlands placed in the same group as Pakistan, his team could ill-afford getting lenient especially when the Netherlands had defeated Pakistan in the past.

"I don't think we've got an easy group with England and the Netherlands. I don't think any group or team is weak for this tournament. Every team is perfect and especially in Twenty20 you can't say anything about any side because it's anyone's game," Afridi said.

Afridi said he enjoys all the three forms of the game, but referred the Twenty20 format as the future of cricket.

"Twenty20 is a good form of entertainment in cricket for all the people as not everyone has time to sit in a ground for a full day or for a full Test match that lasts four or five days. Twenty20 is fun and I think Twenty20 will be the future of cricket," he added. (ANI)