I am struggling a bit, says Afridi

Flamboyant Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said he is going through one of the toughest phases of his career but it would not deter him from taking additional responsibilities during the ICC Champions Trophy.

"This is my toughest phase. I am struggling a bit," Afridi admitted candidly.

"I did not have a particularly good series in England. I take responsibility for that and now I am ready to take extra pressure," said the star player who retracted from his decision to retire from Tests earlier this year.

"Some of the players like Abdul [Razzaq] and others would also require to take extra pressure in batting and bowling in the absence of Inzamam-ul Haq," he said in New Delhi on Monday.

The 26-year-old is also frank enough to admit that sudden changes in batting positions has affected his batting.

"I am happy with batting at number six. But when they change it, they should at least tell us a day before where we have to bat. Suddenly if I am asked to open, then playing the new ball is not easy. I rue that my batting position is not fixed but you have to play according to the team's requirement," he said.

But whatever the situation, Afridi says he loves to play aggressively.

"It is fun to be aggressive in cricket."

Afridi tipped one of the three Asian countries to win the Champions Trophy as they have the advantage of playing in familiar conditions.

"It is a good chance for the sub-continent teams. There will be spinning tracks. One who makes good effort and teases the batsmen with spin will succeed," he said.

The Pakistani, however, put a rider saying no one can predict success in one-dayers.

"In one-dayers, it depends on performance on a given day. On their day Bangladesh can also beat Australia. So 100 per cent no one can say anything," he said.

Afridi believes the conditions have changed in India recently and his experience of the last tour of India might not help much.

"I was watching the Mohali match the other day. We can say there is change in condition from last time," he said.

Pakistan will play their first match against a qualifier in Jaipur on October 17.

Another all-rounder Shoaib Malik, who is making a comeback into the team after an elbow injury, said he is perfectly comfortable with any batting slot in the team.

"I am flexible. I have no problem in playing at any position," said Malik, who has batted at various positions since his debut in 1999.

Malik, who missed the Test in England due to the injury and looked rusty in the one-day series, said it is not fair to expect a good performance from one single player in every match.

"No player can perform in every match. Ups and downs are part of the game," he said.

Malik said he took up cricket only because of his father's interest.

"I started bowling part time. I was not interested in cricket. It was my father who brought me in the game," he said.

Fast bowler Abdul Razzaq said he is concentrating on his fitness as there was a healthy competition between the bowlers in the teams.

"Due to injury there was a drop in my fitness. So I am working out more. After the England series, I have concentrated on practice, bowling and maintaining fitness. Maintaining fitness level is very necessary," he said.

"There is a healthy competition between the bowlers in our team. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif, Rana Naved-ul Hasan we all know reverse swing and we also have a good combination of spinners.

"When such a combination is there we have to match each other and learn more," he added.

Razzaq denied that application of Pakistan's secret weapon of reverse swing by other countries had taken away the edge from their bowlers.

"I don't think it takes the edge away from us. We play in the county and that is how they learnt the art. Ultimately its only the shine on one side of the ball.

"There is so much international cricket nowadays. They had to learn to play it," he said.

Razzaq also said having Waqar Younis as their bowling coach has helped the bowlers.

"Waqar's presence has improved our confidence," he said.