“I've forgotten lots of things that happened in the past ... it's my wish (to be captain), and it should be every player's wish.
“I don't play to just survive in the team. Whatever cricket is left in me, I want to give it back to my country.”
Waqar Younis reportedly had differences with Afridi when he resigned from coaching Pakistan in 2012. With Younis reappointed and starting next month, Afridi hoped what happened in the past will remain there, and said he was looking forward to working with him again.
“If Vicky (Younis' nickname) bhai (brother) or Shahid Afridi didn't learn from their mistakes we can't move forward,” he said. “We should all forget it, and move forward for the good of the country.”
Asked to comment on the recent turmoil in the PCB in which the chairmanship was handed back and forth between Najam Sethi and Zaka Ashraf by the courts, Afridi said, “Such things bring a bad name to cricket and the country. Cricket and cricketers should not suffer from such things, that's it.”
Afridi also welcomed news that the PCB and India board reached an understanding to play six bilateral series from 2015-23, and lamented how Pakistan players were ignored by Indian teams in the Indian Premier League.
“You can't clap with one hand ... I don't think sport should be attached with politics,” he said. “India is giving a negative message to the world, because everyone wants to see Pakistan players go and play in India.”
