Shahid Afridi has fired a warning to Pakistan's World Cup rivals after claiming five wickets in the trouncing of Kenya.
All-rounder claims he is "bowler first" after tearing through Kenya
Shahid Afridi has fired a warning to Pakistan's World Cup rivals after claiming five wickets in the trouncing of Kenya.
The Pakistan captain played a starring role in his side's 205-run triumph, ripping through Kenya's middle order for figures of 5-16 from eight overs.
Pakistan had posted 317-7 before Afridi caused havoc with his spell as their African Group A opponents clambered to 112 all out.
And the leg-spinner, who only scored seven with the bat, has told Pakistan's rivals to be weary of his bowling skills during this tournament.
"I am a bowler first and then a batsman," said Afridi who entered the record books with the best bowling performance by a Pakistan captain in a World Cup, beating Wasim Akram's 5-28 against Namibia in 2003.
Encouraging
Afridi, who turns 31 next week, singled out Shoaib Akhtar for praise for providing a fiery opening spell, conceding just 10 in five overs.
"It was good to see Shoaib Akhtar bowl really well, especially on a slow track," he said.
However, he had a word of advice for the batsmen - who he felt batted slowly, with Pakistan managing just 61 in the first 15 overs.
"It was a slow track but we should have started more positively," the captain said.
"You should take a chance after five or six overs to disturb the line otherwise they will keep bowling on the same line if you don't take any chances."
Losing captain Jimmy Kamande said his side put up a good performance with the ball and needed to improve in other departments.
"We are not performing well in all the areas, but I thought the bowling was 70% good. I didn't bowl well and let down the other three bowlers," he said.
On the batting, which has wilted under pressure twice in less than a week, Kamande said: "It's a difficult situation for us. We didn't go for the score. But we will keep encouraging the boys to score runs."
