23 June,2009 11:26 AM IST | | PTI
Revealing the secret of his sizzling form in the just-concluded Twenty20 World Cup, Pakistan's flamboyant all-rounder Shahid Afridi has said giving respect to bowlers helped him to be among the runs in England.
Afridi said he struggled with the bat in the past because he was not according proper respect to bowlers.
"I thought I could take on any bowler and I showed no respect to them. That is why I was struggling to get runs," he said in an interview to a private television channel.
Afridi said during the World Cup he spoke to his captain and coach, who advised him to take his batting seriously.
"I decided then that I needed to show respect to the bowlers and be patient at the crease. I realised that you can't attack the bowlers all the time and you need to take your time to settle down," he said.
Afridi played stellar roles in the semi-final and final against South Africa and Sri Lanka respectively, guiding his team to the T20 World Cup win.
Afridi scored half centuries in the knockout matches and also took crucial wickets after being promoted higher in the order.
Afridi made it clear that he was now according equal importance to his batting and bowling since he realised that he had a responsibility to his team and his fans who prayed for his success all the time.
"It is a big honour to play for the national team and to do well in the World Cup has been one of the most satisfying moments of my life," Afridi said.
The all rounder said having been a member of the Pakistan team that lost in the 1999 World Cup at Lords and also the final of the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa, he was determined to win the final this time.
"I was young in 1999 and extremely disappointed when we lost the final. It was harder losing the T20 final to India. So to win this one easily been one of the most satisfying moments of my life," Afridi said.
