Australia is experiencing a heat wave of late. But that has nothing to do with the weather. It is in the form of Shahid Afridi.
The Pakistan all-rounder was on fire all through the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash, Australia's domestic T20 competition.
On Friday, he carried on the form he displayed for unfancied South Australia at the Big Bash tournament -- which launched them into the Champions League -- in the first One-Day International against Australia.
The 29-year-old, who returned to international cricket on Friday, hammered a quickfire 48 off 26 deliveries as Pakistan posted 274 before going on to lose the match by five wickets.
Indeed, Afridi is having a whale of a time Down Under. He was declared man-of-the-match in his first two KFC T20 games. He had an opening haul of 4 for 19, and ended with seven wickets at 6.16 and a batting strike-rate of 145.45. His efforts took South Australia to an unexpected home final after winning the group.
Apart from his on-field exploits, the big-hitting Pakistani is also been having a ball off the field.
After being mobbed in Pakistan, India and England, for a change, he's able to take in the sights and sounds of the city of Adelaide without much bother.
And there is more to his share of fun. He enjoys cooking for new West Indies roommate Kieron Pollard, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for IPL 3 for a whooping $750,000.
According to the Dawn, Afridi shares a penthouse in the city with his manager, Umran Khan, and Pollard, South Australia's other overseas player. The trio engage in fierce Halal cooking competitions at home.
'Kieron burned the toast so we told him to stop, but Shahid makes a very nice lamb ribs dish,' the Dawn quoted Umran as saying.
'Shahid was in hysterics after watching The Hangover,' added Umran, who also notes that 'DVD nights are popular among them'.
However, Afridi makes sure he maintains his strict training regimen.
'Every day I do training,' he says. 'Sometimes at midnight I train, sometimes 4.30 in the morning as well. It's my drug!
'If you're playing, or not playing, training is always good to keep you young.'
Talking about his stint with South Australia, Afridi says, 'Playing here is totally different compared to the subcontinent -- the pitches are very good and the domestic cricket is quite professional so I am very happy to be with these guys. They really train well and they really work hard. The cricket is like a religion here, the players are really very professional.
