The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : I am not too eager to open: Afridi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 01, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Cricket

I am not too eager to open: Afridi

V.V. Subrahmanyam

HYDERABAD: Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi says he is in the mood to get going and believes with his team Deccan Chargers gaining momentum after the emphatic win over Mumbai Indians the other night, it can only get better.

“We are delighted with the way things went off in Mumbai with (Adam) Gilchrist playing a great knock. And we are more than keen to sustain the momentum. We are capable of it,” he said on the eve of the match against Kings XI Punjab.

Exudes confidence

“I am not too eager to open the innings. Essentially, I am ready for any challenge. And more over, I don’t think it would be appropriate to have two hitters as openers. I am happy to play at No. 6 and confident of clicking in the coming matches with the bat too,” said Afridi whose leg-spin has provided crucial breakthroughs to his team in the Indian Premier League so far.

The crowd-puller from Deccan Chargers said that even in a Twenty20 format, a team could not expect to win by virtue of one or two individual performances. “Every member has to click and contribute in his own way for the team’s success,” he added. On the absence of Andrew Symonds, Afridi said that the Aussie was one of the best in the business but the team was capable of filling the void as South African Herschelle Gibbs was around.

Not an easy task

He didn’t believe that chasing targets would be easier on the flat tracks. “The dew factor under lights is crucial. In such conditions, even a 180-plus score should be very challenging.”

Reflecting on the presence of cheer girls, Afridi said that it was his personal feeling that they were an avoidable sight. “With so many families coming to see these matches with children, I do believe the cheerleaders at least should be much better dressed,” he said.

On the domestic cricket structure back in Pakistan, Afridi said that it was very strong and there was plenty of reserve talent. “The best 75 from about 200 high quality cricketers are picked for the top teams — such as Punjab, Baluchistan, Islamabad — to showcase their talent in the premier events. Ultimately it all boils down to showing the desired commitment and translating the potential into performances. If any cricketer achieves this, he can definitely play for Pakistan,” he said.

Afridi said that by tendering an unconditional apology Shoaib Akthar had done the right thing.

Afridi said that the Twenty20 format was here to stay. “It suits the fans as it is for just three hours and in the evenings. And I believe the IPL is a trend-setter in many ways. It is good to hear that other countries are trying to come up with similar ventures,” he added.

For someone who loves to hit the bowlers out of the firing line, Afridi said that most of the pitches across the world including those in Australia were not as bouncy as they used to be. “I believe any professional cricketer should be good enough to adapt to different conditions and be consistent to become a great player,” he said.

“I am ready to accept greater responsibility and perform much better. I always believe that my bowling is a bonus but the main focus is on batting,” he added.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport