When it comes to Pakistani cricketers, there's no shortage of things to talk about, especially if that cricketer is Shahid Afridi.

For the past few weeks we've been swamped with reader comments and reactions about the performance of Shahid Afridi in the World Twenty20, the dramatic turnaround in his attitude and lots more.

Over the weekend, Dawn.com hosted Afridi as he answered fan queries.

We would like to thank Shahid Afridi as he took time out, juggling with relief work for IDPS and training for the Sri Lanka one day series, to chat with us and interact with our readers.

We also appreciate and thank all our readers for joining in. Unfortunately, due to high traffic we could not accommodate all the questions and comments but look forward to having another star on the same forum pretty soon.

(Q) I've heard that you are going to play for NSW, Australia. Is it true?
(Akil)
(Q) Will you be playing with New South Wales?
(Mohammad Adil)

Shahid Afridi I have not been contacted by New South Wales yet. I will decide on joining the team once an offer is made.

(Q) Do you feel more comfortable as a bowler or as a batsman?
(Sachin)

Shahid Afridi As a bowler, definitely.
 
(Q) What happened between you and Kallis in the semi final?
(Ahmed Omair)

Shahid Afridi Yeh pyar mohabbat ki baatain hain, kya bataoon? All I can say is that these things happen in the heat of the moment.
 
(Q) Are you now going to take some time to train our youngsters for the future?
(Farhan)

Shahid Afridi Yes I definitely will. I am in talks with the City District Government Karachi to acquire a plot where we can have a cricket ground and practice pitches. I think it is my responsibility to share my experience and knowledge with young cricketers. Hopefully I will start something soon.
 
(Q) Will you take on the captaincy of Pakistan T20 and win us the next world cup?
(Oops)

(Q) Would you be willing to take up the T20 captaincy if PCB offers it to you? Do you think you are mentally ready for this position of responsibility?
(Usman Malik)

(Q) If you were offered the captaincy how would you react?
(Yaqoob Ahmad)

(Q) What do you think about becoming Pakistan Team's Captain for One day and T20 games?
(Nazar Abbas)

(Q) Questions are being raised that the core of the responsibility shown in Afridi's batting in the semi-final and the final was to do with Afridi aiming to get a hold of the captaincy. Is it true you had to show that you are a responsible player so you would be considered by the selectors for the role of Pakistan's Captain?
(Shahmeer Rafiq)

Shahid Afridi Obviously, I will be very happy to accept it. It will be a big responsibility but I am ready to take it, if offered. I will have to take it if Younis doesnt continue. 
 
(Q) With the next T20 world cup again around the corner after only 10 months, what are your plans for that? As an individual and as whole team?
(Zaheer)

(Q) What is your choice for top 11 for T20 world cup for next year? Would you want no change in the team, or would you prefer the faces of Asif, Imran Nazir, Rana Naved?
(Najib)

Shahid Afridi It all depends on how the players perform from now on until the next year. Whichever player is performing and is fit, should be considered. I cannot claim who will be in the side eight months from now but yes, I would love to be a part of the team and do it all over again.

(Q) Do you think test cricket should be done away with, since it has lost its popularity?
(Ikram Kapadia)

Shahid Afridi Absolutely not. Although I do like the idea of four-day Test matches.

(Q) I am a batsman, I always play good when I am imagining batting, but I always mess up when I play in reality. What should I do to improve my batting?
(Atif)

Shahid Afridi (laughs) I think you should keep on imagining.

(Q) I would like to know what kind of bat you use regularly. It says Malik on your bat, Is it really a Malik bat or they just sponsor you? Also, what do you look for when choosing a bat? You prefer light weight bat or heavy? Short handle or long? What is the ideal weight for the bat?
(Imran Razaq)

Shahid Afridi It is a Malik bat. My bat selection depends on the pitch and playing conditions. I usually pick heavy bats for sub-continental pitches as they are flat and lighter ones in England, etc. For me, the ideal weight is 210-220 ounces.

(Q) I am from India. Congrats for a superb show in the recent T20 world cup.

I heard that Sir Vivian Richards is your favorite player and idol, Is it so? Else, who is your favorite?
(Rehan Khan)

Shahid Afridi I think Viv Richards is every cricketers idol. But there are so many cricketers that I admire like, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Saeed Anwar.

(Q) How does your ball for the righ-handed batsman move in the air and hit the stump. Can you do it with the new ball?
(Syed Hasnat)

Shahid Afridi I cant really explain in detail. It just happens. I prefer bowling with a slightly old ball. Not one that is completely rugged. A 12-over old ball is perfect for such bowling.

(Q) If you die today, how would you like people of Pakistan remember you?
(PK Malang)

Shahid Afridi I would like them to remember me as the craziest cricketer that ever played for Pakistan.
 
(Q) How do you see Fawad Alams future? Don't you think that he should be in Pakistan playing 11 on a more regular basis with his first class average of 56.75.
(Faizaan)

Shahid Afridi If they keep sending him to open a Test innings, I dont see him going to far. But seriously, I think he is a very talented and committed young cricketer. The captain and coach need to use him at the right positions in the batting and bowling line-ups. He should be given more chances to prove his worth.
 
(Q) I was wondering how did you come up with the new celebration (the one you do after taking a wicket)?
(Ahsan)

Shahid Afridi The celebration has been there for a while. If you followed the Dubai series, you would have seen me celebrating this way. It didn't change much for the T20 World Cup.

(Q) For someone who has (rightly) lamented being left out of Test matches in the past, what was the logic behind making yourself unavailable for the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka? Seemed like a perfect opportunity to bury, once and for all, the debate about your place in the side for the longer format...
(Ali Hasanain)

(Q) Why did you opt out of the Sri Lanka tour? Was it your choice or forced on you? How do you see Pakistan's chances in this series in all forms - tests, ODIs and T20? Will you be joining the team at some stage?
(Rahat Jalal)

Shahid Afridi It was my own decision to opt out of the Test series because I felt I wasnt fit enough to last the entire series. I didnt want to be a part of the team and not play the entire match or get injured during the series. I always want to give my 100 per cent and I felt I wouldnt have been able to do it. I will join the team for the ODI series and Twenty20 match, InshaAllah.
 
(Q) Will you play Test cricket in the coming months? Pakistan need a quality leg spinner in the test line-up.
(Babar Baig)

Shahid Afridi Yes, I will play Test cricket in the future. I have no plans of quitting it yet.
 
(Q) Are you planning on doing something for the displaced people? The IDPs from Swat, Dir and Buner are burning in scorching heat with nothing to eat, while our multi-millionaire heroes are showered with huge prizes worth millions.
(Bilal)

Shahid Afridi MashAllah, I have been able to collect Rs1000,000 for the people of these affected areas and I plan on going there to distribute the money and goods myself.

(Q) What you are doing for the people of Swat? Can you arrange a game for them?
(IQ)

(Q) It would be really nice and brotherly if you and the rest of the Pakistan team go to visit the IDP camps and take the T20 World Cup trophy too.
(Hasan)

Shahid Afridi If I were the captain, I would definitely take the trophy there or even arrange an exhibition match.
 
(Q) Is it possible for you to name a cricketer who you think can replace you in the future.
(Masroor Cheeda)

Shahid Afridi I can't say for sure but maybe Fawad Alam.

(Q) What has caused this amazing transformation in your batting method?
(Saad)

(Q) What made you batting the way you did in T20 World Cup finals?
(Mahmood)

(Q) How did you manage to control your instincts?
(Khalil Qureshi)

Shahid Afridi I just wanted to win the match (semi-final and final) for my team and I prayed and hoped that I can help them and it just happened. I didn't control anything. It just happened. He (God) did it from up above.
 

Shahid Afridi was talking to Dawn.coms Hafsa Adil.