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’We have not got this much love even from Pakistan’

Floored by the warm reception in India after their arrival for the World Twenty20 Championship, Pakistan team captain Shahid Afridi and senior all-rounder Shoaib Malik on Sunday said they have never felt any kind of security threat in India.

The Pakistani team touched down last night after getting clearance to travel, a decision that was delayed by several days over security concerns.

However, both Afridi and Malik played down the intense media focus on Pakistan team’s security.

“I’ve not enjoyed playing anywhere as much as I have in India. I am in the last stage of my career and I can say that the love I have got in India is something that I will always remember. We have not got this much love even from Pakistan,” Afridi said.

“There are cricket-loving people here, much like in Pakistan. Overall, I’ve enjoyed a lot playing in India in my cricketing career,” he added.

Echoing Afridi’s sentiment, Malik said he felt honoured to be in India.

“Firstly I would like to thank the Indian Government. The security is very good. My wife is from India and I come to India a lot. I have never faced any security issue,” Malik said.

‘We eat the same food, speak the same language’

“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 am very happy to be in India. I have always got a lot of love from people and from media. I’m honoured to be in India,” he added.

Asked to comment on Pakistan government delaying clearance for their departure by insisting on a written security assurance from India, Afridi side-stepped the query, saying that he would not speak on politics.

“Whatever decision the State takes, we are behind them. We are cricketers and not politicians. Sport always brings two nations together. Can there be anything better than cricket? I think we should keep politics away from it,” Afridi said.

On whether Pakistani players would be distracted by the drama that preceded their arrival, Afridi said: “I think it’s nothing special. We were practising over there. We think about that. Physically and mentally we were ready that we will go definitely.”

“International cricket is all about pressure. The team which handles pressure well wins in the end.”

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed on Sunday said that he would love to play the role of a finisher like Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni.

“I follow him a lot. The way he’s making a difference with wicket-keeping and batting, I try to learn a lot from him. He’s a very good cricketer for India, and I idolise him. Hope I too will be able to finish the match like him,” Sarfraz said.

Having impressed both with the bat and as a wicketkeeper, Sarfraz wants to be an utility player.

“It’s great to be here. About my batting order, I play according to my team’s need, be it up or lower down the order. I’ve been doing well,” said the Pakistani U-19 World Cup winning skipper.

However, Sarfraz rued Pakistan’s forgettable outing at Asia Cup but said they’ve plugged the gaps and hoped to make an impact in the World Twenty20.

“The condition was difficult in Bangladesh. Every team faced the situation in initial six overs. We have sorted this out. The condition will be similar to Pakistan here. Hope we will do well here,” he said.

Pakistan begins its main tournament campaign against group A qualifiers (Bangladesh or Oman) on March 16.

Pakistani legendary duo of Imran Khan and Wasim Akram will the team a pep-talk ahead of their World Twenty20 campaign.

Pakistani speedster Wahab Riaz said it would give the side a boost. “I’m getting goose bumps hearing this. Imran has won the World Cup and Wasim Akram what a legendary bowler he was. They’re legends it will really help us.”

Asked about his breathtaking spell against Shane Watson in retaliation to the Aussies sledges during the 2015 World Cup quarterfinals, Riaz said that was of different intensity.

“It was in a do-or-die game. We had to take our chances and the wickets in Australia were supportive. The best thing for a pacer is rhythm should be going. Being in a knockout, it was fearless from our perspective and some words were exchanged. We did really well on that,” he said.

Sound of Dhoni’s strokes is good sign before WT20: Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar says the “sound” that came off skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s bat during the recent Asia Cup was a reflection of his positive mindset and it was a good news for already “favourites” India in the World Twenty20.

Dhoni’s well-earned tag of world’s best finisher was under scrutiny following a prolonged poor run but the Indian captain sort of redeemed himself with some fantastic cameos during the Asia Cup.

“No player in the world has ever been in good form throughout his life as he is not a machine. When I heard the sound of the ball meeting Dhoni’s bat, I felt that it was a different sound. That was the sound that tells you that the batsman is in different mindset,” Tendulkar told a news channel on Sunday.

“The biggest asset of Dhoni is his ability to absorb the pressure which has made him a good captain. He has matured over the years. He does not show even when he is tense which is a good sign. Often a captain who is short-tempered or nervous can create panic among ranks which is not the case with Dhoni,” Tendulkar explained.

Yuvraj, who has been Tendulkar’s protégé, has also shown signs of being back in his elements and it has not escaped the legend’s attention.

“During Asia Cup, I found his mindset changing, which is good for India. Again, like Dhoni, that feel of the bat hitting the ball was important for me but the most important thing has been Yuvi’s footwork. As far as the ‘game Changer’ is concerned, I feel Jasprit Bumrah can be that man for India in the World T20. He has a deceptive action and may look slow but hits the bat harder than you can think,” said the 42-year-old.

For the owner of 100 international hundreds, the best part about Indian team is its flexibility.

“The biggest strength in our team is that there is no predictable pattern in our team strategy. We have seen Yuvraj and Dhoni being shuffled in the batting order. Similarly, Ashwin has opened the bowling for India. The balance in our side is fantastic. So I feel, in terms of celebrations, April 3, 2016 in Kolkata will not be different from April 2, 2011,” Tendulkar said.

For Tendulkar, England, Australia, India and South Africa are likely to make the semifinal line-up and England is a team that can trouble India the most.

“Australia may not have that depth in bowling as they had earlier but is still decent. The batting is very good which makes them a good side. South Africa may have not done well in crunch matches but they have AB de Villiers. England is a very good side with fine T20 players. I love their bowling attack.

“Someone like Moeen Ali, who I feel is a cerebral spinner, who knows what he is bowling. It’s not that he justs lands the ball and gets wickets, he uses effective strategy.

Also they have a leg-spinner Adil Rasheed, who can be effective if he can be a bit slower through the air rather than pushing the ball. Although India is not scared of anyone, England can be a team that can cause some worry,” said Tendulkar.

About New Zealand, he felt that absence of Brendon McCullum will be a big factor.

“Having McCullum used to be a great advantage for them. He played fearless brand of cricket which is essential. He could hit the first ball of a match for six. They will miss McCullum.”

He was all praise for veteran Ashish Nehra, who has done well on his comeback so far.

“Ashish has bowled brilliantly. It’s important to get a good start and Bumrah has followed up brilliantly. So this good start given by the duo has also helped Hardik Pandya, who comes in after that. The spinners have been great. Both Ashwin and Jadeja have done well and Harbhajan also did well in the chance that he got.”

Tendulkar also did not agree that the team has peaked too early winning 10 out of 11 T20 matches this year.

“I would rather like the state of our team than having a team that is still not confident of winning and does not know what combination to play.”