UNI
Dubai, May 23: Fresh from a series-clinching win against World Cup finalists Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, dashing all-rounder Shahid Afridi thinks Pakistan doesn't need a coach at all as it is time to perform and not learn the basics of cricket now.
''We don’t need a coach at all,'' he said bluntly.
''At international level, you need to perform and win matches. There is no time to tinker with the techniques of the players. After 25 or 30 years there is no time to learn ABC of cricket. It is time to perform,'' he opined.
Afridi, who surprisingly reveals that batting is secondary to him, says he is fed up of just about anyone under the sun advising him to play responsibly, asserting that he will not stop his fancied sixes and fours' hitting spree at any cost.
''I have played a lot of cricket and come across a lot of advisors. Every Tom, Dick and Harry tells me to play responsibly.
''This is my way of playing cricket. Since childhood I had a fancy of hitting sixes and fours and nothing else. I know fans also expect the same from me.
''It is not in my control to go out and play defensively. This is my style and I am not going to change it at any cost,'' he said.
The straight-talking Pathan also said he can survive without cricket as it is not the end all and be all to him.
''Cricket is lot for me but it is not everything. I can live and survive without it. I want to enjoy the game in the most natural way,'' he told Khaleej Times.
He added, ''I always concentrate on my bowling and batting is secondary for me. In my view I am a bowling all-rounder.'' Besides bagging the Man of the Match award in the first ODI match in Abu Dhabi, Afridi helped Pakistan win the series-clinching second match by snapping up three wickets for 37 runs and also shared the Man of the Series award with Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jawawardene.
''I am happy that I bowled well in second match and contributed a bit to series win for Pakistan against tough opponents like Sri Lanka,'' he said.
Recalling the tumultuous times after the team crashed out of the World Cup, Afridi added, ''After the early exit from the World Cup we were target of criticism especially by ex-cricketers.
''It really hurts and being a young team we have done our best to shut their mouths.'' When asked about new-look team and captain Shoiab Malik, he said, ''This young team has great potential. It has shown lot of spirit. Our new captain Shoaib Malik has proved that he can be a good captain. He doesn’t hesitate to discuss things with seniors.'' He lauded Mailk's attitude, saying ''He consulted every senior player before taking any decision. He doesn’t go alone and never asserts his authority unnecessarily. I can foresee a great future for him.''
On the coach issue, he further said,''Look at the coaches of Australia and South Africa, they may have played first class cricket only but look at the performance of their teams.
''Senior teams only need fielding coaches who can arrange different drills for the boys. Mohtasim Rasheed, a younger brother of ex-Test cricketer Haroon Rasheed can be good fielding coach for Pakistan. Coaches should be deployed in academies where youngsters can be groomed properly.'' One of the best fielders in the side is not happy with the fielding standards of Pakistan.
In his view, ''Boys don’t enjoy fielding which is main hurdle to lift the standard. I hope our new work ethics will bring a sea-change in every department of the game.''