DUBAI, April 23 After putting in his best-ever bowling figures to bundle out Australia in the first One-day International here on Wednesday, flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi believes Pakistan will have to do it all over again to win the second match.

In an exclusive interview with Dawn.com on Thursday, Afridi revealed that there was no magic potion behind the match-winning performance in the opening day-night encounter against the world champions at the state-of-the-art Dubai City Sports Stadium here, and put it down to hard work and help from the pitch.

“Quick bowling and flighted deliveries are a norm for me but I also got help from the pitch and was able to keep the batsmen under pressure,” Afridi said.

The much talked about Dubai stadium got two thumbs up from Afridi. “Everything, from the facilities to the ground and the pitch, especially the whole structure is quite impressive.”

The ODI veteran expects the pitch to remain helpful for the spinners and predicts another low-scoring game on Friday.

“Winning the toss will be vital and whichever captain gets the call right should opt to bat first tomorrow because bowling under the lights is helpful with the dew factor coming in to play,” he noted.

Reiterating the Pakistan captain and coach`s stance, Afridi warned Pakistan against complacency against Australia and termed Friday`s match the most important one of the series, saying victory [on Friday] will be a major boost for Pakistan before the focus shifts to Abu Dhabi.

Despite having not played in Abu Dhabi for nearly six months, the veteran all-rounder hopes that the combination of Pakistani pitch curators and close-to-home weather conditions will work in Pakistan`s favour in the Emirates capital.

Speaking on the fitness of opener Nasir Jamshed, Afridi said “The final decision will be taken by the team physio and coach but from what I have seen, he is likely to miss out tomorrow.”

If Nasir is rested, it will create an opportunity to bring in one of the four players rested in the first match and when asked to comment on Fawad Alam`s chances, Afridi said “The final decision is up to the captain and as the team already has three spinners, it will be up to him [captain] if he wants to include another slow bowler.”

Afridi rated Wednesday`s performance as one of his personal favourites as it came against the world champions and that too at a time when Pakistan cricket and his team needed uplift. The crowd-puller said he will try to put in the same performance on Friday to delight the Pakistani community in the UAE.

AFP adds

Shahid Afridi said on Thursday he preferred scoring runs to taking wickets, as his fans liked him more for hitting boundaries than dismissing batsmen.

The 29-year-old leg-spinner took a career best 6-38 in his 10 mesmerising overs against Australia on Wednesday before hitting a fiery 16-ball 24 to help Pakistan win by four wickets in the first ODI.

It was the best bowling by a Pakistani bowler in ODIs against Australia, bettering the 6-59 by paceman Waqar Younis at Leeds in 2001. Afridi`s previous best of 5-11 was against Kenya at Birmingham in 2004.

Despite the feat, Afridi said he would like to come good with the bat.

“My fans like me for my batting, hitting fours and sixes,” Afridi said. “I would love to score more runs because this is my trademark and people want me to hit more fours and sixes.”

His selection for the current series is seen as a trial before the Twenty20 World Championship to be held in England in June.

Afridi said he would love to help Pakistan win this series and then the Twenty20 World Championship.

“Doing well against Australia is great because they are a very good team, so I hope to continue with that and then focus my attention on the Twenty20 World Championship, because last time we lost the final,” stated Afridi.