Afridi discloses aspiration to lead Pakistan ODI team

Flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said that he would be more than happy to lead the Pakistan team after doubts grew over the availability of regular captain Shoaib Malik for the first two ODIs against Zimbabwe.

The hard-hitting batsman was declared the man-of-the-tournament in September’s ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa after he guided his team into the grand finale against arch rivals India. Afridi said he was ready to lead the team if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) comes with an offer.

"It is already a big honour to play for the country. But it is every player's dream to captain the national side. I am no different," Afridi was quoted as saying.

The PCB has said it was monitoring Malik's fitness in the national conditioning camp.

Misbah-ul-Haq, Afridi and Kamran Akmal are among the players, who are said to be under consideration for the captaincy and vice-captaincy.

Afridi said his team was looking forward to the challenges of facing a young Zimbabwean outfit.

"One-day cricket can be very unpredictable. If they play well on a given day they can do well. So we can't take this series lightly at all," Afridi was quoted as saying.