Islamabad: Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has made it clear that he has no intention of playing Test cricket until the 2011 World Cup and would be concentrating solely on the shorter versions of the game.
Afridi told a website that since the selectors did not consider him good enough for the five-day game, he decided to focus only on T20 and 50 over cricket, which suited his style more.
"I was keen in the past to play test cricket and my record in Test cricket is there for everyone to see. I have previously made myself available to the selectors for Test matches, but wasn't given a chance, so I have decided to focus solely on 20 over and 50 over cricket until at least the World Cup in 2011," Afridi said.
Afridi said with so much cricket being played nowadays, it was important to keep himself free and fresh for the shorter versions of the game.
"There is so much cricket being played these days and the international schedule is so hectic, that I feel that its in my best interests to keep fresh for the shorter versions of the game, especially with both World Cup competitions to be played in the next two years," said the captain of Pakistan's T20 squad.
Afridi, who averages over 37 with the bat and under 35 with the ball in Test cricket said he is training hard for the forthcoming One-day series against New Zealand, starting November 3 in Abu Dhabi.
"I'm fully fit and preparing for the training camp ahead of the series in UAE against New Zealand," he said.