“History is on Sri Lanka’s side (no team has scored more than 6 runs in the fourth innings to win a Galle Test and, if achieved, 168 would be the third-highest total in fourth innings here), but the nature of the pitch and the contest is on Pakistan’s”

Munir what I have quoted above is from cricinfo. And, you can see the state of the pitch where a bowler like Younus Khan can take 4 wickets in a test match, imagine Murali would have massacred the Pakistani batting line up with his illegally legitimized doosras.

His favourite was apparently Sonali Bendre. I don’t know if it is fact or fiction but it was rumoured both of them were about to get married. This was when Afridi was not religious. He was asked about it and he rubbished the rumour saying something like, “I don’t know who Sonali Bendre is, but some girl called Sonali keeps ringing me and is trying to meet me……..”

Umar Akmal has a good record, but he is too inconsistent. He made a double century some time ago and it was rumoured he would be selected for the international team, but then he did not perform for a long time.

Sarfraz Ahmed has actually done pretty well himself as a batsman in the same match Umar Akmal has scored a century. I think Sarfraz got 2 fifties or something, under pressure.

Imtiaz Ahmad of Pakistan used to open for Pakistan in test matches, Tasleem Arif used to open in test for Pakistan. Kunderan of India and Inderjitsingh used to open for India, (I am not sure about Kirmani) and there are a few other wicketkeepers who used to open in test matches. I think if we dig out info or ASK STEVENS on cricinfo we might get a list of wicketkeepers who used to open in test matches.

DUBAI — After the successful launch of the new cricket stadium (right) in Dubai Sports City a couple of months ago with the Pakistan and Australia series achieving great success, the stadium got a pat from none other than Pakistan’s swashbuckling cricketer Shahid Afridi.

The man set the stadium ablaze in the inaugural ODI claiming six wickets and scoring a 15-ball 24 runs that ensured Pakistan won comfortably. Afridi was named the Man of the Match for his stupendous performance.

When asked which was his favourite ground in the world, pat came the reply from the terrific batsman. “I love the Dubai stadium. It is a very good stadium for ODI’s but not for Tests though.”

Though Pakistan lost the five-ODI series 2-3 to Australia, Afridi had a good outing as an all-rounder. “We played a few games against Australia in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and that helped us a lot. I think we guys did very well and the morale was very high before entering the (T20) World Cup. I am happy that we all played a mature game.”

The Twenty20 match against Australia in Dubai where Afridi picked up three wickets which eventually helped Pakistan win by seven wickets, came as a big boost for them ahead of the World Twenty20. They later did exceptionally well in England to win the tournament.

As far as Dubai, which is keen to host bigger tournaments in the future, such support from top players will do a world of good for the stadium.

’Quick Singles’ with Shahid Afridi …

Who is your role model in cricket?

Imran Khan. I have watched him play since my childhood days and he was the inspiration for me to take up this game.

Who is your favourite actor?

Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and I also like some movies of Shah Rukh Khan.

Favourite Actress?

Julia Roberts.

What about someone closer home?

Oh no. That would cause a scandal!

Favourite cricket ground?

Dubai (for ODI’s), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Sydney Cricket Ground and Multan Cricket Ground

In ODI’s you still have not played 100 balls in an innings?

Yes, I have played a lot of 43-balls innings. I would love to play 100 balls and I will try to do it in the future.

How do you balance your time between family and cricket.

Cricket is like a wife and it keeps going with us everywhere. I have also received a lot of support from my Begum (wife). My kids are young now and since we have a joint family it has not been much of a problem.

Life after cricket.

I have not thought about it. I still feel I have three to four years of cricket left in me and beyond that I have not thought anything. I would want to be a good Muslim.

Did you miss playing IPL? Your team (Deccan Chargers) won?

They won because I did not play (laughs).

Did Coach Javed Miandad try to tone you down?

I can’t become Miandad. I can only polish the Shahid Afridi.

Keep on playing aggressively and don’t become Dhoni.

Dhoni is doing well as a captain and he needs to play his natural game as a batsman.

DUBAI — He said he almost ran for half an hour to take a catch in the World T20 tournament. He can be funny without even trying. He has movie star looks; and the charm to go with it. Maybe when he quits playing cricket he will become a one. But at the moment all Shahid Afridi (right), the hero of Pakistan’s recent T20 World Cup triumph, wants to do is play good cricket; and keep playing for another few years.

Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi, like the Pakistan cricket team itself, is an enigma. He can singlehandedly carry a team to victory with his aggressive batting and equally aggressive bowling on a good day; and then plumb the depths on an average day. The Pakistan cricket team too is a lot like that; playing sublime cricket one day followed horrendous stuff.

We, at the Khaleej Times, were extremely lucky to be able to get Pakistan’s cricketer of the decade for a chat session at our office on Sunday. The batsman with the quickest century in ODIs had an answer for every question thrown at him and was happy to share his thoughts and insights with a smile.

According to him responsibility was the key to Pakistan’s success in the World T20. “We needed to win a big one for our country, so stay focused. We all were motivated and keen.”

Boom Boom as Afridi is called, reignited his batting form when it mattered most. He played responsibly and that paid off. His promotion to the top of the batting order was a brilliant tactical move by skipper Younus Khan. Later when asked if he would continue to open the batting, he said with a smile: “In Pakistan anything can happen.”

The poster boy of Pakistan cricket lauded their former English coach Bob Woolmer, who died during the ODI World Cup in 2007. He always told me to play my natural game, said Afridi. According to Woolmer, the Pathan is a natural match winner.

When Afridi is at the crease people flock into the stadium. He is a treat to watch although his aggressive style increases his risk of getting out. He holds the record for scoring the fastest century in one-day internationals (off 37 balls), scored in only his second match and his first ODI innings. He also shares with Brian Lara the record for the third-fastest century in ODIs (off 45 balls).

For various reasons, including a notion that he lacks patience, Afridi has had limited opportunity in Test matches. But he soon plans to prove everyone who thinks he’s not Test material wrong.

That catch, which he said took nearly 30 minutes was the one he ran from short cover to the boundary line, covering a bit more than 30 meters to get rid of Scot Styris during Pakistan’s match against New Zealand during the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup.

Awesome Afridi

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:

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 realized 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 Aggression

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 realized 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 position 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 acknowledged 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.”

I agree with you on keeper’s point. Yes, and Sarfraz Ahmed is a good keeper and perhaps even better then Akmal behind the wickets, may be not batting.

Recently he played well in Pakistan A team in their match against Australia A and also scored well.

Good Luck to him.