Shahid Afridi has a calming influence on his team these days and he hasn’t lost his competitive edge.
Shahid Afridi has a calming influence on his team these days and he hasn’t lost his competitive edge. Instead of throwing it all away in a moment of madness, Afridi has learnt to sacrifice flair for substance when the need arises.He still loves to be in the thick of things, whether it is egging on a youngster during a practice session or helping Younus Khan get some extra practice in the middle.
“I have been playing cricket for so many years. Now, I want to make the best use of whatever cricket I play. I may play only for three or four years. I am a senior player now and I must be responsible. After all, I am the skipper in T20s and vice-captain in the one-dayers. It is time I played in such a way that the youngsters look up to me also. I play according to the situation now,” Afridi told DNA on Monday.
Afridi played a key role with the ball and bat when Pakistan won the World Twenty20 earlier this year. He believes that the win has transformed the side.
“The boys have realised what fun it is to be part of a winning team, especially when you win big tournaments. Winning the World Twenty20 was great for Pakistan cricket. Younus Khan has made the team into a close knit-unit. We have made efforts to ensure that the team stays together. If there is any problem it is discussed with the captain and the vice-captain before it reaches the team management. We have taken a lot of effort to ensure that the communication channels are kept open. It gives all the players a sense of belonging and confidence,” Afridi said.
Talking about the ability of youngsters, in this case Mohammad Aamer and Umar Akmal to click in big tournaments, Afridi said, “We have made it clear that only those who show the potential to perform will play. No young player who has been picked for a tour is allowed to just be a passenger. We ensure that they just don’t come for a picnic and waste time. The youngsters know that playing for Pakistan is not a joke. The youngsters feel pressure but they are also well-guided. If a player is good even in the first match you can make out his class,” Afridi added.
He believes that the team can beat Australia and win three out of three in the group stage. “The win against India is history. We don’t want to be overconfident. At the same time our body language needs to be positive. If we play with the same kind of confidence and remain motivated then I think we can beat Australia and go all the way.”
Afridi is proud of the fact that the team is doing well though they don’t get to play as many games as other countries.
“I don’t know why teams have stopped touring Pakistan. All international teams have no worries playing anywhere else but believe me, the situation in Pakistan is much better now. This boycott has affected the whole of Asia and it is important for the survival of Asian cricket that teams start touring Pakistan. Unless teams play Pakistan they are not playing the best team in the world. If Asian countries cancel tours to each others’ countries then we are definitely not supporting each other.”
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