While Pakistan were busy making a meal of the Test series in Australia, in the same country Shahid Afridi has been dining out royally — on both the cricket and local hospitality.
Afridi has turned on the style for unfancied
In the grip of a heat wave,
When out and about relaxing, however, the public have otherwise only offered him the occasional nod, wave or handshake upon recognition. Used to being mobbed in
He is sharing a city penthouse with his manager Umran Khan and
“Kieron burned the toast so we told him to stop, but Shahid makes a very nice lamb ribs dish,” reveals Umran, who also notes that DVD nights are popular “Shahid was in hysterics after watching The Hangover.”
However, Afridi makes sure to keep up his strict training regime and he tells of his addiction while sitting relaxed on the Adelaide Oval grass after a net session in the heat. “Every day I do training,” he says. “Sometimes at midnight I train, sometimes 4.30 in the morning as well. It's my drug!” He laughs, then is suddenly urgent. “I love to be fit and fitness is a good thing. If you're playing, or not playing, training is always good to keep you young.''
When at home his gym sessions fit around his family commitments with his wife and four daughters, aged three months to eight years old. The girls tune in to watch him bat but massage his ego they do not. “They are always making noises at home. [They'll say] that 'Boom Boom is playing... and he's out!'” He laughs hard. “I say 'Oh, thank you!'”
It's a soft blow to his rockstar image, although he looks surprised at the very idea. For Afridi has mellowed in cricket and in life, hasn't he? “I used to be a party boy, before my marriage in 2000. Since then I've been trying to be a good Muslim and a good boy,” he winks. Indeed, the interview was pushed back 90 minutes for Afridi to say Friday prayers at the Adelaide Mosque, the city's largest.
But why, having said 'Yes, no, wait, sorry' to
“Playing here is totally different compared to the subcontinent — the pitches are very good and the domestic cricket is quite professional so I am very happy to be with these guys. They really train well and they really work hard. The cricket is like a religion here, the players are really very professional.”
The domestic fielding may not be up to his highest standards - he himself has dropped catches — but he is always impressed with
“I think a few of the guys are not enjoying themselves. If everyone enjoys being in the field, automatically they will be good fielders.”
Afridi's choice to play limited overs rather than first-class cricket may have had a bearing on Mohammad Yousuf's recent warning that Twenty20 “will destroy
He would still play Test cricket if asked — “Why not? I always think positive” — but he further notes the opportunity for young players to make their mark at that level. “
He is all for giving opportunities where possible. Even the World Twenty20 squad, despite its recent triumph, is not set in stone. “As a captain I have some players in my mind,” Afridi says. “Some of the guys really performed well in the domestic season so maybe I will see these guys as well. We'll choose the best 15 or 16 (from an upcoming camp, along with the selectors).”
Looking ahead to the World Twenty20 in the
Such an attitude sees him through every situation, even during the constant sadness of playing away from
When it happens, Afridi would like better home surfaces. “I keep telling the PCB we should go for good pitches, pitches like
Mental battles are another matter, of course, as witnessed in the second Test in particular. But Afridi's return to the squad for the five-ODI series starting in
Discussing Younis Khan's controversial departure from the captaincy is off-limits, but Afridi notes how much he enjoys being Yousuf's deputy. “He's very balanced with everyone, very equal, and that's what I like in him.”
As his focus turns to international cricket,
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