Shahid Afridi watching 3rd Pakistan-India ODI at Saudi Gazette office in Jeddah Sunday. (Inset) Afridi speaks during the interview as SCC Chief Executive Nadeem A. Nadwi (R) and SCC Media Manager Sameer Nidal (L) look on. — Saudi Gazette photos by Amer Hilabi * Says would have loved to see Tendulkar play Pakistan one last time * Saudi govt push must Mahmood Hasan Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — Pakistan cricket all-rounder Shahid Afridi has set a new goal — giving back to people who have given him so much love and affection over the years, both in the social sphere as well as in the cricketing world. During a visit to Saudi Gazette office Sunday, Afridi said he has finalized plans to build a 40-bed hospital in his native village of Tangi Banda, Kohat. “There's no health center in this village, it's been a dream of my family, especially my father, to build this center,” Afridi said, adding, “This is a purely humanitarian initiative which my family will be funding. It will be named after my late father, Sahabzada Fazal Rehman.” The charismatic cricketer, who is visiting the Kingdom to select a pool of players for the Saudi Cricket Centre (SCC), was very enthusiastic about the basic health project. He said his brothers — Tariq, Iqbal, Mushtaq, Ashfaq and Shoaib — and uncles are completely behind him. “It should be up and running in seven months' time.” Talking about the Pakistan-India series, he was all praise for the touring squad, though he was at a loss to understand why Indian great Sachin Tendulkar chose to call time on his ODI career just before the tour. “I would have loved to see Tendulkar play Pakistan one last time. I do not know why he opted to call time on his ODI career,” he said, especially that Tendulkar made his ODI debut in 1989 against Pakistan. “It would have a been a great way to go.” Boom-Boom Afridi also blasted the critics who have been hounding Indian captain M.S. Dhoni for the team's recent losses. “People in this part of the world are very emotional. They would not know the game, nor have played as much as the greats have, but would make comments like experts,” he said while batting for Dhoni. “I have seen the criticism and it is mind-boggling. Dhoni started off as a youngster and captained greats like (Sachin) Tendulkar, (Rahul) Dravid, (Sourav) Ganguly and (V.V.S.) Laxman. He is the best Indian captain. He is not the only one in the team. Look at the performance of the team.” Afridi was all praise for the Pakistan ODI team captain Misbahul Haq and T20 skipper Mohammad Hafeez. “They are in complete control. The captains deserve all the credit for the wins. There is fantastic chemistry in the dressing room. They all want to win,” he said, adding: “The nation should celebrate the team's arrival home in a big way.” As for the prospects of international cricket returning to Pakistan, he sounded pessimistic. “Under the present security circumstances, it looks very difficult to see countries visiting Pakistan. But the proposed Pakistan Premier League might help bring foreign players and eventually other teams to the country.” Afridi was very enthusiastic about the Saudi Cricket Centre's talent hunt program. “It is a very interesting way to give a boost to the game in a country which is just catching up with the sport.” He, however, pointed out that there is no alternative to the involvement of the government if the SCC really wants to see the game grow by leaps and bounds. SCC Chief Executive Nadeem A. Nadwi, who was accompanying Afridi, said the Centre is trying its best to bring the Saudi authorities onboard. “We have been in constant communication with the authorities. We have hired the services of Australian cricket coach Ross Turner as consultant. He will be helping the SCC during the upcoming meetings with the General Presidency of Youth Welfare (GPYW),” he elaborated. Asked what Afridi would be looking for in the players during the trials, the Pakistani former skipper said: “The guys must be passionate about cricket. They must love the game and it should show in their game.” On a question as what advice he would give the youngsters coming to attend the trials, Afridi said: “Enjoy the day out playing cricket.” The “Saudi Star Talent Hunt Program” team will be visiting four cities – Jeddah (Jan. 16-17), Yanbu (Jan. 18), Dammam (Jan. 19) and Riyadh (Jan. 20-21). Those interested in taking part in the trials can register themselves at www.cricpro.org. More than 300 players have already registered for the trials. All residents, regardless of age, nationality and association affiliation, can compete at the trials. The last date for registration is Jan. 14.
