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THE LAST WORD
Shahid Afridi
An interview with Shahid Afridi
The captain of the Pakistan cricket team speaks on life after Mohali, and the controversies hes stirred up since the World Cup semi-final defeat to India on March 30.
You apologized to the nation after we lost the semi to India at Mohali. Why?
I am proud of our performance, and we did enjoy the World Cup. But before leaving I had promised my country that we would win, but we could not. If I dont apologize to the people, who do I apologize to?
What could we have done better against India?
Our team was unsuccessful primarily because of the battingactually, that was one of my fears before we left. I was pretty disappointed with the dropped catches [from Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar]. How could we drop those catches? We went in intending to win. We had worked and trained really hard, but it was our fate that we werent prepared enough.
How were the World Cup crowds in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India?
The crowds were incredible, and really supportive of Pakistan. Bangladesh was the best, the people were with us. Sri Lanka was great and if we had been there for the semi, Im sure we would have won. India was a whole different story, the crowds supported their own team, and the media was against us and played a dirty role. I didnt feel any extra pressure with the presence of the [Pakistani and Indian prime ministers at the match] because theres so much noise and adrenaline that you forget whos there and who isnt, one just focuses on playing the game well.
The last time Pakistan lost a World Cup match to archrival India in India was the 1996 quarter-final in Bangalore, and that Pakistan team got a harrowing homecoming. Your return home was warmand nonviolent. What do you think has changed?
We are really lucky. The number of peoplegirls, boys, old, youngwho came to greet us early in the morning at the airport, who supported us, rooted for us, believed in us, and prayed for us has been overwhelming. They showed a lot of patience with us, did not speak against us so vehemently, or attack us this time. The media was also with us. I could not have imagined such a wonderful welcome. The truth is people have shown a lot of love for me, the team, and the sport.
Theres a tendency in Pakistan to question the integrity of players after we lose major matches. Even interior minister Rehman Malik warned the team before the semi that they were being watched. Did any of this affect your performance?
I dont take much tension from conspiracy theories. As for the comments by the minister and politicos in general, I dont know what these people are on about half the time. I dont follow their commentary. I dont let that affect what is most important: the game. I dont let what others think or say affect our performance. Whatever happened in England [last summer when three Pakistani players were implicated in the spot-fixing scandal], their courts will get to it. I dont love money, I love Pakistan. If I could be bought, I would have made so much money by now. But the truth is that Afridi cannot be bought.
Youve caused a stir by recently suggesting that Indians have small hearts. Youve also said theres a lobby preventing normalization of relations between Pakistan and India. What did you mean?
Look, us Muslims, we have a lot of patience, our hearts are strong. We have heart. Indians are more sensitive. If you jerk them a little, they get scared. There are also many people who do little to facilitate good relations between both countries and instead spread propaganda. This time the Indian media started so much propaganda that I told the team not to talk to them. Some media persons dont mean well, and implied certain things. The media, especially Indias, dont want peace.
How is the team different under your captaincy?
There is a lot of respect for each other in the dressing room and on the field. I realized if you show respect toward someone, they will respect you back. It took me a long time to unite the team. We were not always so united. I started making everyone eat together, hang out together, train together. We have fostered good relationships even though it hasnt been easy. On the ground, I get angry sometimes, but I never abuse my position as captain. I am also strict. Previously, by the way, the captain and seniors would not even talk to the juniors on the team.
Interview | Shahid Afridi
