Spot-fixing charges not related to Pak's performance: Afridi

Captain Shahid Afridi has dismissed the speculations that the spot-fixing allegations, involving three Pakistani cricketers, have anything to do with team's poor performance in the ongoing series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Captain Shahid Afridi has dismissed the speculations that the spot-fixing allegations, involving three Pakistani cricketers, have anything to do with team's poor performance in the ongoing series against South Africa in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

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"I don't think so that the spot fixing issue has anything to do with our performance. The boys are now focusing on their cricket. It's just we are not seizing upon good opportunities to put South Africa out of the game," Afridi said. "Our boys have given their 100 per cent but I think the South Africans beat us in the fielding department," the skipper added.

Afridi admitted that he was worried about his own inconsistent form. Afridi fell cheaply in the third one-dayer in Dubai last night in a run chase with Pakistan eventually losing out by four runs. South Africa leads the five-match series 2-1.

The flamboyant all-rounder hinted that some changes might be made in the team for the remaining matches. The Pakistan captain made it obvious that he was not pleased with the performance of Saeed Ajmal and particularly his efforts to play big strokes in the run chase yesterday, when Fawad Alam was at the other end.

He said that left arm spinner, Abdul Rehman may replace Ajmal for the remaining two matches. Meanwhile, the Pakistan team management has revealed that they had not included exciting young batsman Umar Akmal in the team as he was struggling with an ankle injury that could put him out of the series. Pakistan manager, Intikhab Alam told the media that Akmal sustained the injury during a practice session before the third one-dayer.

"He twisted his ankle while playing volleyball and was lined up to replace Misbah-ul-Haq in the third match. To avoid an aggravation of his injury, the team management decided to leave him out," Alam said. Umar was sent for a MRI scan on his ankle and the management was still waiting for the reports. "His future in the series would be decided on basis of the report and medical advice," Alam added.