DUBAI — Pakistan’s Twenty20 World Cup hero Shahid Afridi has an uncomplicated style of batting — hitting the ball cleanly and clearing the fence effortlessly. The flamboyant cricketer has almost the same attitude even during a conversation — he comes across as straight, cheerful and simple. In short, an uncomplicated and cool person.
The aggressive all-rounder, who helped Pakistan clinch the Twenty20 World Cup, talked about the team’s World Cup triumph, his transformation as a match-winning bowler, controlled aggression, Test chances and the influence of Bob Woolmer in his career, among other things, in an exclusive interview to Khaleej Times here on Sunday. Excerpts:

Afridi & kids

Dressing room atmosphere

Though Pakistan began the T20 World Cup with two consecutive losses in the warm-up matches, they lifted their performances remarkably during the crunch games. Afridi’s energy was one of the reasons for the transformation as he lifted the team on several occasions with his sensible batting and lethal bowling.
Asked to rewind the dressing room atmosphere, he said: “Before the World Cup we played four one-day international matches against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We did well against the World champions and the performance lifted our morale. When we arrived in the UK, we played two warm-up games against India and South Africa. Though we didn’t win, we performed well in both the matches.

“Besides, all the senior players took up responsibility. We all realised that the World Cup is a global event and we should try our best to win it for the country. We face several problems on the domestic front. So we were focused to win it for the people of the country.

“The senior players, including Younis Khan, Misbah-ul Haq, Umar Gul and me, decided that we should take up responsibility rather than leaving it to the young guys. We all realised that if senior players perform up to their potential, definitely we have a chance to win. In every team there are three or four match winners. We all were motivated and keen to win the cup.”

Bowling success

Afridi is more renowned for his 37-ball one-day international hundred, but he has transformed himself as a match-winning leg-spinner of late. He bagged 11 wickets at an economy-rate of 5.32 in the Twenty20 World Cup. He admitted he worked hard to remain competitive as a bowler. “I started my career as a bowler. I used to bat at No.9 initially. For the last three years, the captain didn’t use me in the right position as a batsman. I played on almost all position — from No.1 to No. 9. So I decided to focus on my bowling. For the last three years, I totally focused on my bowling. But the people want to see me more as a batsman. Despite some failures in batting, I was focused to do well and talked to myself that I should prove my worth as a batsman as well.”

Controlled agression

Afridi’s batting didn’t click in the first three matches (he scored 5, 13 and 0) in the T20 World Cup, but he reinvented his batting form when it mattered the most. The innings in the semifinal and final were much different from the usual ‘boom-boom’ Afridi style. He changed his carefree attitude for the betterment of the team and it paid rich dividends. “As senior players we have to take up responsibility. During the team meeting we were firm that we don’t want to miss this golden opportunity. I told myself that there is no need to worry even if I miss some balls as I realised it is important to stay at the crease and play a big innings.”

Batting position

The promotion of Afridi to the top of the batting order worked wonders for Pakistan as Afridi recollected how it all happened. “I told the captain that I am doing nothing down the order as a batsman. Now with Abdul Razzaq back in the side, there is less pressure even if we lose one wicket. So I asked him for a chance to go up in the order. For the last four games, he gave me a chance and I performed well as a batsman.”

Asked whether his postion at the top would be permanent, he replied with a smile: “In Pakistan any thing can change.”

Captaincy hopes

Afridi, now a senior player and touted as the replacement for Younis Khan, is not much bothered about captaincy, though. “Playing for Pakistan is a big honour. Performance is important whether you are a captain or a player.”

Test beckons

Considering the maturity Afridi showed in the T20 World Cup, Afridi would have been an ideal choice for the all-rounder’s spot in the Test squad for the ongoing Sri Lankan tour.

“I was in the squad for Sri Lanka, but I told the selection committee chairman that I want some rest after the matches in UAE and World Cup. Test fitness is different from one-dayers. I told him that I will definitely play Test cricket.”

He also voiced his concern over excessive cricket. “Cricket is not sports alone. Now it is more a business. Now the career of a fast bowler is over in 6-7 years.”

Remembering Woolmer

The Pakistan team, after their T20 title triumph, dedicated the title to their former coach Bob Woolmer. Afridi also aknowleded the role played by Woolmer in shaping his career. “He was very close to the players. He always allowed me to play my natural game. He used to tell me ‘Go and play your game. Don’t worry about singles and twos. Play your natural game. You are a match winner’. He knew how to handle and talk to players.”

pradeep@khaleejtimes.com