Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi is considered to be one of the best all-rounders to ever grace the game of cricket, especially the white-ball matches.
One of the most exciting batsmen in the game, and also a lively leg-spin bowler, Afridi’s aggressive approach earned him the nickname ‘Boom Boom’.
Afridi holds the record for the highest strike rate in One-Day Internationals (ODI), a staggering 117, and he also holds the record for the most sixes scored in ODIs (351) and the third fastest 100, from just 37 balls.
In 2015, he completed 86 wickets in 86 matches to become the top wicket taker in the history of T20 Internationals.
Afridi spoke to Sport360 in Dubai after he was named as one of the marquee players for the inaugural UAE T20X, taking place from December 2018 to January 2019.
Q: You are playing a lot of T20, and even T10, tournaments. What is special about the UAE T20X?
A: This is another opportunity for all the players, especially the Dubai local players. It’s a great opportunity for them to share the dressing room with big names and they can learn a lot from them.
Twenty20 is great entertainment, everyone wants to play and everyone wants to organise it as well. Many blue-collar workers are here (in the UAE) so they can come and enjoy.
What do you like about playing cricket in the UAE?
It’s very close from Pakistan so whenever I see a two-days gap I go back to Pakistan. It’s a one hour thirty minutes flight from here. This is the best thing. (LAUGHS)
Shahid Afridi and Kumar Sangakkara, who will also be playing in the UAE T20X.
What do you think are the keys to winning in T20?
Whatever opportunities you get, you should avail that.
Because when you lose two wickets or you give 20 or 25 runs in one or two overs it’s very difficult to come back in the game, so you should be very calculated and very active and play according to that situation.
And I always say that fielding is the main role in any format. Seventy to seventy-five per cent games you win because of fielding, so it is very important.
You have to deal with huge pressure in so many games – bowling or batting in the last over. How do you deal with that pressure?
By keeping things very simple. I just try to enjoy that moment, that’s it.
Is it really possible to enjoy so much pressure?
Yes. You can talk to yourself before batting or before bowling (and say): “This is a great opportunity for you and you make a big name (for yourself) with this performance.”
You’ve excelled at all forms of the game –T10, T20, ODIs and Tests. Which is your favourite?
I think at the time I liked everything, but you need some change. When I started cricket I loved playing Test cricket, one-dayers but with time you know you like Twenty20 and T10 and maybe one time will come when I’ll just like a five-over game.
You have had such an extraordinary career. Is it possible to pick out some highlights?
I think with the bat 141 against India in Chennai in 1999 (in just his second Test), when Wasim Akram was the captain, because the coach (Javed Miandad) was against me. He did not consider me as a Test player but I think I showed that I can play Test cricket. So that was a special innings.
Also the 2009 World Twenty20 in England (where he scored 176 runs and took 11 wickets as Pakistan were crowned champions.)
In bowling, my comeback game was against the West Indies in West Indies (ODI in Providence in 2013) where I got seven wickets (7-12) and I scored in the same game 76 runs (as Pakistan won by 126 runs). So that was a great performance.
And the Kanpur innings in India 2005-06, that was very special (where he scored 102 off just 46 balls in an ODI as Pakistan cruised to a five-wicket win).
Despite the difficulties in Pakistan cricket, the nation continues to do well. What is the secret to Pakistan’s success?
It’s all about passion, the crowd. Fifteen-twenty years ago there was squash – we are No1 in hockey – we were champions and cricket we were on top. But nowadays it is only cricket and the cricketers know how important their performance is for the people.
Our boys want to win. They want to do well, they want to make a big name.
You’re 38 now but still playing cricket. What keeps you going?
I’m still passionate about cricket and I love cricket and I’m playing for my fans. My fans want to see me as well and because of my (charity) foundation… I’m playing for them as well.
Shahid Afridi is greeted by fans in Karachi in 2011
Tell us more about the Shahid Afridi Foundation
We have been working for the last three-and-a-half, four years. We are building hospitals in remote areas (in Pakistan) where people don’t have basic health facilities.
We are working on water as well where people don’t have clean drinking water. Where people – families, kids – travel six, seven kilometres to get water, we are doing projects so people can easily get water in their homes.
And we started school projects as well. We already built four schools in areas where people don’t have access to education.
The UAE T20X starts on December 19, 2018. More details will be announced soon.
