Afridi wants to emulate Flintoff

Shahid Afridi, the Pakistan allrounder, has said that he is keen to emulate Andrew Flintoff and play a crucial role in the Test series against England.

Afridi made his Test debut in 1998 but has not yet cemented his spot in the Test side. "Flintoff has made great contributions for England. I am hoping to match his feats in this series," Afridi told BBC Sport. "Flintoff is someone who has made impressive progress with bat and ball and is now a certain selection in England Test and one-day squads. I want to be like him. I have played just 19 Tests all these years and it does not satisfy me as a professional."

Salman Butt is the only regular opener in the 16-member squad for the first Test against England and Afridi or Shoaib Malik may be asked to open with him. "I feel more relaxed at that position [down the order]," said Afridi. "But if my team needs me to open and there is a crisis of openers then I have no choice but to say yes."

Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, said that choosing the 11 was going to prove difficult. "The selection is going to be a nightmare for us as we have too many options available. We now have to sit down and work out the best possible combination."

Woolmer also said that he would like to see pitches that are conducive to spin for the Tests. "I hope it [the pitch] takes sharp turn because there is no batsman who can play sharp turn comfortably - especially against the wrist-spinners."