Hafeez: Afridi showed great character
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez says captain Shahid Afridi showed great character to overcome all the criticism and lead his side to a 55-run victory over Bangladesh in their first match of the World T20.
Afridi starred with bat and ball as Pakistan put their recent bad results behind them to give themselves a massive boost ahead of their game against rivals India on Saturday.
The Pakistan skipper promoted himself up the order, to number four, and blazed a 19-ball 49 as Pakistan posted 201 for five in the 20 overs. Afridi then took two for 27 as he led his team to victory.
The right-handed Hafeez, who top-scored in the match with 64 from 42 balls, feels the team an take momentum from the victory.
Hafeez said: "To be honest, it's great to see someone who was under pressure from the media and people and to come up with something like this shows the kind of character he got.
"It's always pleasing to see him to come up and play shots everywhere. The fans love it, we love it as a team. We know that he can take the game away from the opposition.
"It's great to see him come back into the form with the bat and ball also. That performance will boost his confidence and the whole team will definitely follow the momentum he has set in the first match."
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