Australia legend Ricky Ponting has declared pacer Shaheen Afridi as the important thing participant if Pakistan is to clinch a second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup crown in Australia. Afridi produced his greatest efficiency within the event thus far with the ball when he completed with figures of 4-22 towards Bangladesh on Sunday and that spell helped Pakistan earn a semi-final spot. Pakistan will meet in-form New Zealand on the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Wednesday and the Australia nice Ponting stated Afridi is the important thing participant in that recreation.

“He might say that he’s not back to 100 percent just yet, but from what I’ve seen it looks like he’s going along beautifully and he now holds the key for Pakistan progressing in the tournament,” ICC quoted Ponting as saying.

Afridi’s wicketless efficiency in Pakistan’s first two T20 World Cup matches towards India and Zimbabwe could have forged some doubt on his skill to shortly get better, however Ponting at all times had religion within the left-handed pacer’s skills.

“(I never had any doubt) as you just know what he’s capable of when he’s out there on the field. And as I said, even if he’s not at 100 per cent, if he’s operating at 90 per cent, he’s still going to have more of an impact on games than most because of how good he is. So look, he might have had a few worries in the back of his own mind and the Pakistan hierarchy and coaching group might have had a few worries in their mind, but not anymore. He’s got through really well so far and hopefully for them two more games to go,” Ponting stated.

Ponting stated Afridi’s resurgence was much like how Indian famous person Virat Kohli had instantly discovered his kind in Australia and stated that generally you merely should think about the perfect gamers to ship on the largest levels.

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“It’s almost a bit like the India scenario with Virat (Kohli) coming into this tournament. Sometimes you just have to stick with them and pick them and let them go because champion players will find a way to get the job done. And as the tournament’s gone on he (Afridi) has got better and better and hopefully the best is still to come,” Pointing additional added.

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