Afridi turns down Tasmania offer, to focus on national duty

KARACHI: Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has turned down an offer from Australian state side Tasmania as he wants to concentrate on the coming series against New Zealand, followed by tour of the Down Under.
"The former Sri Lankan player Russell Arnold spoke to me about the possibility of playing for Tasmania but I declined as Pakistan is already due to tour Australia in December," Afridi said.
Pakistan is to play three Tests against New Zealand and then go to Australia for a three-match Test series and a ODI series in late December.
Pakistan has never won a Test series on Australian soil and Afridi said playing against the world champions in their own backyard was always a big challenge.
"I am keen on the tour to Australia and want to perform there for the team because when you perform in Australia your ranking as a player always goes up," he said.
Afridi said another reason behind his decision to turn down the offer was based on the feedback he got from captain Younus Khan and pace bowler Umar Gul, who played in Australian domestic cricket last year.
"I have learnt a lot from them about the Australian conditions and their domestic set-up. So I was not pushed to sign-up for any state side," he said.