I'll quit when I start becoming a burden on my team, says Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi

The Pakistan all-ounder Shahid Afridi said that he will quit cricket whenever he feels that he is becoming a burden for the team.

“I will sideline myself, the moment I start thinking that I’m becoming a burden on my team. I will not let anyone an opportunity to talk. As long as I’m fit and give my life to cricket, I’ll continue playing the sport,” Afridi said.

He said that he is eager to deliver some great performances for his team. “I want to give something to my country with my performance. There is no such thing that you will score runs with the bat every day. I’ve given my focus to bowling as well. I want to get myself ready in such a way that I deliver to the team, be it in batting or bowling,” he said.

When asked about how good was his performance against India and Bangladesh, which took the defending champions to the Asia Cup 2014 final, he said that he won’t like to rate those innings.

“There are many reasons that I won’t like to rate them but both of them were very important for me as well as for the country.”

He also said that since he has a lot of experience behind him, and he doesn’t actually needs a coach. “As I’ve said earlier also, having played at this level for so many years, I don’t need a coach. Mein apna coach behter hoon [I am better off with coaching myself]. I know what to do and what not to do. It’s about having the right people to back you and support you.”

When asked about the current Pakistani support staff, he said, “It was different earlier, it’s not that it was not good. It was better earlier so also today. The support team that we have now are all knowledgeable and keeps you positive.”

Afridi said he was looking forward to doing well in the ICC World Cup 2015. “Obviously, the World Cup 2015 is going to be a huge thing for me and my team.”

“There’s a lot of time to go for 2015. We have a lot of big series coming up. The management is supporting, if we continue to have the right kind of combination, and with God’s blessings, we hope to win the World Cup,” Afridi said.

Afridi said that the Pakistan team is getting to their peak now and it is the right time to reclaim the World Twenty20 Cup as well. “I’ve already mentioned how important this tournament is for us. The World Twenty20 is coming up after this and I think we peaked at the right time. That was the requirement,” he said.

“There was a positive intent in the side and we all were confident that we would do it. We always had the belief. The team which handles the pressure well wins during an India and Pakistan match. It’s all about playing under pressure,” he said.

When asked about how he handles the pressure, Afridi said that it’s not something new to him because of his batting position. “It’s not normal not to have pressure. There is always pressure on me because of my batting position. The required run-rate is always above nine or 10 runs.”

Afridi further thanked the crowd for their support in the thrilling one-wicket win over India.

“Obviously it backs you. I am thankful to the Bangladesh crowd for the way they supported us [during the match against India]. It’s really a good thing for us.”