Afridi reveals success formula

Dubai: Shahid Afridi, one of the world's top Twenty20 players, feels "enjoying the game to be the best" is the secret behind his success in the shortest format of the game.

Answering to a question from Gulf News on what is the key ingredient to be a successful Twenty20 player, Afridi said: "It all depends on how much you enjoy your cricket and for the last three years I have been enjoying my cricket as a batsman and as a bowler."

The swashbuckling Pakistan allrounder is here to play for Fly Emirates in the Emirates Airlines Twenty20 Cup, which begins today.

"In Twenty20 you need to be aggressive. In Pakistan we have been playing Twenty20 for the last 10 to 12 years, especially in Karachi. Twenty20 and one-day cricket suite my style," added Afridi, who has given up playing Tests.

"I follow cricket wherever it is played and watch it whenever I am free. It has to be one-dayers or Twenty20 and not Test cricket," he said quickly adding that he hasn't watched Indian Premier League.

"IPL without Pakistan players, I am not interested," he said.

Though Pakistan cricket is in turmoil following the ban and fine imposed on some of the leading players, Afridi successfully hid his emotions and denied to answer any question pertaining to the issue.

New venue

"I am here to enjoy cricket. I am really looking forward to play for Fly Emirates in the tournament. I have played in Dubai several times before, but obviously never at this new cricket venue. So this will be something special," said Afridi, who is likely to captain Pakistan in the Twenty20 World Cup next month in the West Indies.

Pakistan had issued a statement stopping all their players from playing in competitions abroad. Fortunately, Afridi got the clearance to play here.

"I personally met Pakistan Cricket Board chief and sought his permission stating that I had committed to play here very early," said Afridi, who was the star player of the 2009 Twenty20 World Cup in England.

"It is my off season and I am only doing my physical training at the moment and maybe in a week's time I will start my batting and bowling practice," said Afridi, who is keen to steer Fly Emirates to victory and thus start off his preparation for the World Cup on a winning note.

When asked what is his message to his fans in UAE, Afridi said: "Come and watch us."