'Out of form' Afridi to play in Toronto T20

Karachi, July 9 (ANI): Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi who has been running out of form for quite some time now, will be given yet another opportunity in next month's Twenty20 contest to be played in Toronto.

This might be the last chance for him to regain his lost form that made him one of the stars of world cricket.

PCB Chief Selector Salahuddin Ahmed reportedly said that Afridi would certainly be considered to be a part of the 15-man squad for the twenty20 contest that will also involve the West Indies.

The tournament is to be tentatively held from August 13-16. It is expected that the event will be confirmed within the next couple of days.

"Afridi is one of our best twenty20 players and there is no way we are going to overlook him for the Toronto event," The News quoted former Pakistani Test cricketer Salahuddin as saying.

"His team players and officials are backing Afridi and believe that he will soon return to form," he said.

Afridi, 28, has been going through a lean pitch, especially with the bat. He was dropped from Pakistan's last Asia Cup game against Bangladesh last week. There have been rumours that Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and coach Geoff Lawson are against the idea of brining back Afridi but Salahuddin rubbished such reports. (ANI)