I am happy that I am getting a chance to play for Hampshire, because wherever I play, at the end of the day, I am recognized as a Pakistani, and if I do well, it is Pakistan cricket that gets a good name.
— Shahid Afridi
I have never run after the captaincy in my entire career. It is something for the cricket board to decide.
My game is such that I either succeed or fail. But I always hope to do something which is useful to the team at the start of the innings.
I admire Sachin Tendulkar for being one of the best role models for young cricketers, and no one in Pakistan even doubts his greatness, as his records speak for himself.
I started playing from the age of 11-12. I loved the game immediately but started playing the game seriously only in 1993-94.
There is an amazing craze for cricket in India.
When my family moved to Karachi, I just knew the date and month of my birth and not the exact year. That is why my age was erroneously recorded in the under-14 trials.
As a captain, I am concerned about my team and how I perform. I have hopes from my own self and very high hopes from my team members.
In very few countries I enjoyed cricket more than I did in India. I would always remember the love my team and I got from the fans here.
It's simple: I like happy, positive people.
I have seen a lot of top players being forced to retire in not very pleasant circumstances, and I don't want that happening to me.
My wife is from India, and I come to India a lot. I have never faced any security issue.
I have played 20 years of international cricket for Pakistan and not the PCB.
I always try to do what I know best, and that is play well.
I just want to be given respect and dignity that every senior player deserves after serving the country for so many years.
I have a lot to say about my confidence, my fears, my adversaries, my ambitions, my goals and failures.
Ajwa and Asmara are the youngest and love to play dress-up. They have my permission to play any sport, as long as they're indoors. Cricket? No, not for my girls.
As it is, I have a busy schedule, and I don't think I have the time for Test matches.
I am available to play in foreign leagues only when not required on national duty.
When rain is around, the team batting second gets a huge advantage.
It is unfortunate whenever someone tries to bring politics into sport.
My thinking is that once the captain sends you at a particular number, then your job is to perform and get runs at that number. Nothing else should matter.
I admire Indian cricket because of the way the sport is run there and how the money they earn is invested back into the game and players.
The reason for my age being messed up in the records is that when I first appeared for the under-14 trials, I myself really did not know my exact age.
The team that wins makes minimum mistakes, and the one which loses, that one makes more mistakes than the other team.
I think we should learn from our mistakes.
Gambhir behaves like he's a cross between Don Bradman & James Bond.
Dhoni has changed the face of Indian cricket and took them to the pinnacle of success, and his captaincy will be missed by the Indian team. He has led them well in all formats.
There are cricket-loving people here, much like in Pakistan. Overall, I've enjoyed a lot playing in India in my cricketing career.
The love and support I have got and get from my well-wishers and fans is enough reward for me.
I don't think I appear very cool to people who observe me on the ground.
The people may not be like that, but I think the media had a very dirty role in spoiling relations between us and India.
In all my years of cricket, I've given hundreds of interviews and done dozens of TV shows, but what you will read in my memoir are the stories and thoughts I've never shared openly.
My daughters are very precious to me.
I have no real desire to play Test cricket, and the reason I lost this desire was because I was not selected consistently for Test matches.
Records just happen.
I still say Pakistan and India should have normal bilateral relations in cricket and there should be regular exchanges between the two countries.
I have nothing against the Indian people, and I have always enjoyed going to India, as the people there appreciate and support good cricket and players.
I don't think any bowler can trouble me much.
I have nothing personal against Gambhir. In fact, I have some good friends in the Indian team, and I get along with them well off the field. Even if I meet Gambhir somewhere, I will greet him normally, as I have nothing in my heart against him.
We have to stick to basics. Sometimes, you expect that miracles will happen, but it does not work out that way.
I thank Allah that I have been playing for Pakistan for a long time. This is a big honour for me; I had not even thought so.
I don't want to talk about the past. I don't live in past.
Some rivalries were personal, some professional. First, the curious case of Gambhir. Oh, poor Gautam. He & his attitude problem. He who has no personality. He who is barely a character in the great scheme of cricket. He who has no great records, just a lot of attitude.
I don't really see any difference between Pakistani people and the Indians. We eat the same food, we speak the same language. I don't really see any difference.
I've not enjoyed playing anywhere as much as I have in India.
If the captain stands still and looks clueless, then it spreads to the whole team.
I try and keep it simple and wait for the right opportunity.
The Indian media has a very negative approach and very negative thoughts.
They have permission to play all the indoor games they want, but my daughters are not going to be competing in public sporting activities.
