LAHORE- Pakistan’s T20 skipper Muhammad Hafeez hoped that Shahid Afridi would be available for the World Twenty20. Earlier, the hard-hitting all-rounder delayed his departure to Bangladesh.

Afridi played in the Asia Cup final with painkillers after he hurt his hamstring with some powerful late hitting during two nail-biting victories against India and Bangladesh last week. "As a captain, I need a fit Afridi, and that's why we have given him time to rehab," Hafeez said while speaking at a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium today. "When you play back-to-back matches, the fitness level of an individual counts a lot," Hafeez said.

"Wherever you play against India, you have pressure from the media and the nation, but we will try to have a good start and build a good momentum," he said while answering a question regarding India. To a query regarding his own preparation for World T20 matches, Hafeez replied “I have been working very hard to prepare myself well for the mega event and by the grace of God; I am completely fit and ready to deliver for my team.”