LAHORE The Pakistan cricket team has complained the lack of proper rest days between matches since landing in England late last month but in positive development skipper Shahid Afridi has recovered from the side strain. Pakistan is scheduled to be in England till September 27 during which they will play two T20 and two Tests against Australia and then a further two T20 internationals, four Tests and five ODIs against England before returning home. According to reports, the players have drawn the attention of the manager Yawar Saeed and coach Waqar Younis to the fact that they are not getting enough rest days on the tour to England to recover from matches. Since the Pakistan squad reached England on June 26 they have constantly been playing side matches and will play the two T20 internationals against Australia tomorrow and on Tuesday before the first Test starts at Lord's from July 13. The Pakistani players reached England after playing in the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka where they didn't make the final. Incidentally, the Pakistan team has been travelling since last year when they went to Sri Lanka for a Test tour and then played in the Champions Trophy in South Africa after which they featured in a ODI series in the UAE and directly went to New Zealand and Australia for full Test series. Meanwhile, captain Shahid Afridi has recovered completely from a side strain and will play the two T20 matches against Australia. Afridi had sustained the side strain during the three day match against Kent and scans showed he had a slight muscular tear and was advised two days rest. After missing the T20 against Essex, he turned out against Northamptonshire on Saturday and is now ready for the T20 matches as well. According to an English newspaper, Afridi has revealed that he can not wait to don the whites again as he prepares to play his first Test since 2006 in Pakistans upcoming MCC Spirit of Cricket series against Australia in England. The 30-year-old retired from Test cricket four years ago in order to spend more time with his family, but the controversy surrounding Pakistan cricket has seen him agree to resume his five-day career. He goes into the series with the hopes of the nation resting on his shoulders as Pakistan look to avenge their winless winter tour of Australia, which led to seven players being banned or fined for causing unrest in the camp. And, despite returning to the games longest form earlier than planned, Afridi is hoping his influence can help lead Pakistan out of the wilderness. I wasnt playing Tests because of my family, he said. When you have stints with a county or in Australia or South Africa, youre bound to miss your family, and since my kids are growing, they need me at home. Then my father fell ill and I had to look after him as well. After the Australia tour, a lot of people thought I could unite the team and be a good captain in all three formats of the game, so I took advice from my elders and, as a challenge and as a responsibility, thought, 'I should resume playing Tests, he added. I thought Id resume Tests after the 2011 ICC World Cup, but it has come about earlier than planned. Im very happy to be here, when the team needs me, and want to fulfil this responsibility bestowed upon me. In his last Test appearance - against England at Old Trafford - Afridi scored just 32 runs and took one wicket. However, his recent one-day form has been nothing short of breathtaking with two centuries in Pakistans last three games. And he is hoping, with the help of other senior players and promising youngsters such as Mohammad Aamer and Umar Akmal, he can help trigger a reversal in his sides fortunes. My role, together with our other senior figures, is to help guide the new players. I hope I am up to it. I will certainly do my best. All the senior players know they have a job to do on and off the field and have been told of the duties expected from them. It will be difficult to turn things around, but its not impossible. The best thing about Pakistan is that after defeat they can lift themselves. We had bad results in Australia but know where we were deficient. Now its up to us to rally. I know my job, the coach knows his and the players know theirs. Well put up a combined effort to lift the team. It is absolutely vital for Pakistan cricket that we do that. There are a few new faces, like Akmal and Aamer. Both have enormous talent and are good fighting players. Theyre excited about playing in one of the best and most challenging cricketing places. Due to security concerns, Pakistan can not play at home hence England is the venue for the Australia series. But, with his side likely to enjoy partisan support from the countrys Asian contingent, Afridi is relishing the prospect. Ive always liked England. The conditions here are very challenging and test your qualities, but whoever emerges successful improves their reputation. There is no substitute for playing games at home, but thats not possible at the moment, so we have to rely on the support of our people living in England. I hope they come and support us like they did in the ICC World Twenty20 last year. That was overwhelming.