Thirty-two-year-old Pakistani cricket superstar Shahid Afridi was in Dammam on Saturday as part of the Saudi Cricket Center's very popular Talent Hunt Program. The enthusiastic player was in his element while fielding questions from Arab News during this exclusive interview with Siraj Wahab.
First things first: How has your experience been with this talent hunt initiative? Did the players here impress you? Do they have it in them to make a mark on the international scene?
This is a fantastic idea. It is a great effort on the part of the Saudi Cricket Center (SCC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) to identify fresh blood. This is what is required here. For a fairly long time, people have been playing cricket by associating and registering themselves with different clubs. This talent hunt was open to all irrespective of which club or which association they belonged to. Every player was provided with the opportunity to make his mark. They did all to impress me. I had a pretty good time, and I identified talented boys. Talking about talent, I was especially impressed by the quality of fast bowlers here. To me, cricket in Saudi Arabia is in the very good hands of (SCC Chief Executive Officer) Nadim Nadvi, (Operations Manager) Hamid Rana and (Media Manager) Sameer Nidal Khan. All of them are engaged in hard work, and they are doing a good job. If they continue with what they are doing, then one can hope for a good national team from Saudi Arabia.
One of the primary reasons for the rise of cricketing stars in countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Bangladesh is that insatiable hunger for name and fame. Those who are playing in Saudi Arabia come from a relatively rich background. These are the products of a laid-back lifestyle. During your hunt across the various cities in the Kingdom, did you notice that craving for success or that spark in their eyes like we see in the suburbs of Karachi or the alleyways of Peshawar or the gullies of Mumbai?
Cricket is in their DNA — no doubt about that. The important drawback, however, is the lack of facilities or resources. Do these budding players have the facilities to hone their cricketing skills? Without these facilities they are nothing. They need academies here to train young people in the fine form of cricket. If they have the right facilities and right opportunities only then will they be able to prove their worth. Whatever little I could observe during my stay here, I found find only one or two academies. For instance, Sameer Nidal Khan has his own academy, and the way he is running it is incredible. There is no government support. Whoever is promoting cricket is doing it on his own. There are very few commercial sponsors. One way to popularize cricket is to introduce and promote cricket at the school level. There is talent here — no doubt about that — especially among the senior cricketers. Among the under-19s, I did not find anyone particularly impressive. There are, but they are a few and far between. Among the seniors, however, there are quite a few who are very talented. They have the capacity to make a name for themselves in international cricket. Again, they need the right opportunities and good training under good coaches to rise in the world of cricket. Also, it is the responsibility of the local cricket associations to do away their petty politics and work for the common good. Politics should have no place in cricket. Let them play cricket — not politics.
Pakistan and India have had a good time playing the recent series. How did you feel in India? Was the Pakistani team well received? And are you looking forward to seeing Indian team in Pakistan?
It is always a big occasion for us to play in India. I particularly enjoy playing in that high-pressure atmosphere. Despite all the challenges, Pakistan toured not just India but also Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. There were severe threats against playing in India, but we went there. Now is the time for India and other teams to tour Pakistan.
This is the best way of promoting good ties and strengthening relationships. Cricket is the best glue that can bind countries. About the change in the heart of Indians, we go there as ambassadors of peace. In India, sporting stars have great value. Indians appreciate cricket, and cricketing heroes get tremendous support.
We found that Indians wish to see us in action in their country, and Pakistanis want Indians to play in our country. However, it all depends on our governments. If things get better at the top, then this good beginning can lead to a lasting relationship.
Why did you retire from cricket? There is a feeling among many connoisseurs of the game that you still have a lot of cricket in you.
I am very much in the game. I am still playing cricket. I will continue to play. Allah has endowed me with great fighting skills. I will come back with a bang, InshaAllah.
You did announce retirement from Test cricket, didn’t you?
Yes, because I was not enjoying that format of the game. I was not enjoying it, and I therefore gave up the team captainship, as well. That was not an easy decision. I am still playing the other formats. I have played with some of the best cricketers. I have seen the best of the best being reduced to tears in the dressing room when they are not able to perform. I am an average cricketer, and I know my limits. I am a fighter. I know how to fight my way back in. I am just waiting for the right time and the right moment. I will definitely deliver. I have made comebacks in the past. I will make yet another comeback. InshaAllah.
Talking about making a comeback, how does it tell on you when people write you off and then you silence them with your performance?
It is the job of these armchair critics whose vocation it is to pontificate while sitting in the comfort of television studios and commentary boxes to run down a player. They are paid for that muckraking. They take vicarious pleasure in criticizing the players. They make me laugh on many occasions. However, I take their criticism in a positive way. To me, their criticism acts as a catalyst to do well in the middle.
Are you trying to suggest that all those analysts and experts appearing on TV discussions are themselves failed cricketers?
The irony is that these so-called experts will talk about discipline, and if you do a background check on them you will realize that never in their lives have they been known for any kind of discipline. Despite being cricketers themselves, they will talk about cricket as if they have never played the game. These are the people who dish out advice to Inzamam-ul-Haq on how to improve his batting skills! They have the audacity to teach Wasim Akram on how to bowl! This is not just ridiculous but beyond comprehension. Well, well, these are all part of cricketing life. For me, good, solid performance is the best answer to silence them.
Can you share with our readers the best moments in your life? Of course, right on top will be the match-winning fastest One-Day International century that you scored against Sri Lanka in 1996.
The biggest joy of my life was when I was selected for the national cricket team. That was my dream, and when it happened I was very, very happy. To play for Pakistan was the greatest honor for me, and then I never thought that one day I would captain the Pakistani team. Alhamdulillah, I was appointed a captain, too. We won the World Cup, and I was part of the winning team. These are among the few occasions that I feel very happy about. Having said that let me state that in cricket, the state of happiness is very fleeting. It stays for a very brief while, but encountering the rough patches are the difficult moments. They take a lot longer to pass by.
Since you are so determined to make a come back, you will. What do you intend to do? More records?
Nobody goes out into the middle thinking that he is going to make a record or that he is going to hit the fastest century. If Sachin Tendulkar has made a 100 in the first innings, he will still not be able to say if he will perform equally well in the second innings. It is very unpredictable out there. All these records that I have been able to set were all thanks to Almighty Allah. There are five fastest centuries in the world and three are listed in my name. Alhamdulillah.
Still, there must be something in your mind?
Let me put it this away: You must be wishing for another extraordinary record, mustn’t you?
Wishes?
There are endless wishes. But let me tell you about two goals I intend to achieve. I want to complete 400 wickets in One-Day Internationals. Another goal is to score 300 sixes. I am short of two or three sixes. InshaAllah.
What about your daughters? What do they expect from their cricketing father?
They want me to be at home with them all the time. It is fun being with them. It is such a sweet feeling listening to their points of view. Both, Ansha and Aqsa, are very knowledgeable about cricket. I enjoy my moments with them.
What is your take on Sachin Tendulkar’s decision to retire from One-Day cricket?
Everyone has to retire from active cricket one day. I am of the view that he should have played the recent series against Pakistan. He should have bid farewell from the middle by waving at his fans and fellow cricketers. That would have been a fitting ending for a player of his stature. Since he began his international cricket career against Pakistan, it would have been ideal to end playing against Pakistan.
Who in your opinion is the best bowler?
Glenn McGrath.
And the best batsman?
A: Brian Lara.
Last comments?
I am very optimistic about the future of Pakistan cricket. Politics should be kept aside. As much as possible, cricket and politics should never be mixed.