Afridi concerned about Pakistan's middle-over strike rate but backs them to reach T20 WC final

Shahid Afridi predicts Pakistan's pace attack will lead them to the T20 World Cup final despite batting concerns.

Former captain Shahid Afridi is confident Pakistan will once again reach the final of the T20 World Cup but expressed apprehension regarding the batters' sluggish strike rate in the middle overs.

The former all-rounder added that Pakistan's pace attack comprising Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi and Mohammad Amir is the best in the world.

"The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters, especially in between the seven to thirteen over phase," Afridi, who is a tournament ambassador for this edition of the T20 World Cup, told the ICC.

"I hope that the strike rate improves in that phase. In terms of runs per over, eight or nine runs per over are needed but still Pakistan are my favourite," he added.

The 47-year-old, who was part of Pakistan's title-wining team in 2009, feels the pacers will have a huge responsibility to deliver.

"I feel Pakistan should make the final. The reason is that the conditions (in West Indies and USA) suit our team."

"I think in any cricket team in the world, nobody has such a strong bowling line-up. All our four fast bowlers have a lot of skill and even the bowlers sitting on the bench like Abbas (Afridi)...has a lot of skill with a good slower ball. It's an incredible attack.