Pakistan's Shahid Afridi is gearing up to unleash his explosive talent at the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa next month.
Afridi promises fireworks at Twenty20 World Cup
Pakistan's Shahid Afridi is gearing up to unleash his explosive talent at the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa next month.
The enigmatic all-rounder, nicknamed 'Boom Boom' by Pakistan fans for his powerful hitting, seems born to play the shorter overs game.
He caused a sensation when he burst onto the international cricket scene as a 16-year-old leg spinner, called in to replace the injured Mustaq Ahemd.
The youngster sent shockwaves around the cricketing world when, brought for his bowling, he hit the fastest ever ODI century - 37 balls - against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in October 1996.
A decade later that record still stands but Afridi, who has a ODI strike rate of 109.38, has lost none of his destructive power and continues to entertain crowds with his powerful hitting.
"Around the time I cracked the fastest ton, I was more of a bowler who batted," said the 27-year-old, who has been named the most popular cricketer currently playing for Pakistan.
"When I broke the world record I had to change myself into a batsman, and obviously if you haven't done something and you suddenly start doing it, it is different.
"Wherever I went, well-wishers, fans, players were saying that I should continue playing the way I did during the record as it is very nice to see me hitting fours and sixes.
"And when you hear all that at a young age and it gets into your psyche, it becomes difficult to change that style."
Hot-blooded
That style however has become something of a double edged sword for Afridi and is often the main cause for his downfall at ODI level, where he has averaged just 23.37 in 240 matches.
But the flamboyant right-hand bat, confident in the knowledge that he can single-handedly alter the course of a game, insists he will maintain his aggressive approach at the World Cup
"It is my nature," he explained, speaking on Cricinfo.com.
"A person from Pathan is a hot-blooded creature, who always wants things to be done quickly.
"Sometimes it does back-fire as the mind doesn't think too much when in a hurry.
"I am not perfect and I do have my limitations and I have got out often when I play premeditated.
"One reason is the crowd has expectations from you and wants you to hit fours and sixes.
"I tell myself that I will go and be patient for the initial few overs, but as soon as I cross the boundary ropes and walk in, and I hear the noise and the screams of the fans, it makes me nervous and can put me under pressure.
"But I am in good form and am looking forward to doing my bit for the team in South Africa."
His performance with the bat often overshadows his bowling talents but, with 204 ODI scalps to his name, his prowess with the ball can also be vital to Pakistan.
Favourites
And Afridi himself believes it will be the quality of his team's bowling that could prove to be the cruicial factor in their fortunes at the World Cup.
He added: "Pakistan's biggest advantage is that we have a good bowling attack that can carry us through in the event.
"Individual performances are important but what really counts is a team effort."
Asked about his country's chances of outright victory in South Africa, Afridi, although admitting Australia were favourites, said that any team could win the tournament.
"Twenty20 is the sort of cricket where you can't even discount a team like Scotland who can beat anyone on a good day," he said.
"There is no doubt that Australia are a very strong team but I believe that if we played positively, Pakistan can beat them or any other side in the competition."
