I have not changed my style: Afridi

Shahid Afridi, who hammered a career-best 156 in the second Test, on Sunday, attributed his recent success in the longer version of the game to the aggressive fashion in which Tests were played these days.

"I have not changed my style. I still bat the same way. It's just that the way Test cricket is being played has changed over the last few years. It has become more aggressive and suits my style of playing," said the 25-year-old all-rounder after the second day's play against India.

Afridi had blazed to an 80-ball 103 in the first Test at Lahore which ended in a tame draw before his belligerent knock of 156 in Faisalabad in 128 balls, studded with 20 fours and six sixes.

The Karachi-based player, who bowls fastish leg-breaks, once again rated his first century against India -- 141 at Chennai in the 1999 Series in the Test won by his team -- above both his last two centuries against the visitors.

"I still rate my 141 at Chennai above this knock," said the ebullient player who had echoed similar sentiments in Lahore as well.

Afridi said neither team was on top at the end of day two with India being 110 for one in reply to Pakistan's 588.

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"The wicket is still flat and both Rahul Dravid and Laxman are batting well. There's still very little for the bowlers in the wicket. The seams of the kookaburra balls too become soft and it needs an extraordinary performance by the bowlers to be successful with these balls," he said.

Afridi also said that the pitch prepared here for the Test against England in December, 2004 was much better than the one that has been prepared for this match.

"There was more bounce and pace in the wicket prepared here against England. It was a much better pitch."