Sachin Tendulkar's [ Images ] refusal to return to Twenty20 [ Images ] cricket for next month's World Cup is a relief to India's rivals, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi [ Images ] said.

India's master batsman quit the format in 2007 but has been in superb form in the Indian Premier League [ Images ].

Several leading figures have asked him to return for the tournament in the West Indies [ Images ] but the 36-year-old recently ruled out the possibility.

"The way he has blossomed in the last few years he is only getting better and better as a batsman," Afridi told Sunday's Times of India [ Images ].

"If Tendulkar had played in this World Cup I am sure he would have made a big impact. If he is not playing... it is certainly a big advantage for other teams.

"I think even in T20 cricket you need to bat properly and at times even playing out 20 overs is a big challenge for a team. You need to play orthodox cricket."