A case of now or never for seasoned quartet
Pakistan have arrived in India, the doubts over their participation in the T20 event have eventually been squashed
With the next edition of the World T20 taking place four years later in 2020, it is time for Afridi, Malik, Hafeez and Irfan to rise to the occasion and leave their mark in this year’s mega event because they might not get an opportunity to do so again. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan have arrived in India, the lingering doubts over their participation in the biggest T20 event have eventually been squashed. The 2009 World T20 champions, who are currently languishing in the bottom half of the world rankings in the shortest format, get another chance of redemption, but for many this would be their last, absolute last chance!
One of the lead sponsors of the national team — a soft drink giant — has initiated a smart campaign for the World T20. ‘Abhi Nahi Tu Kabhi Nahi’ (now or never) that’s exactly what captain Shahid Afridi, senior batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan must be feeling since none of the quartet is expected to feature in the next edition of the tournament when it comes back after not the usual two-year, but a four-year gap in 2020.
And yes even Afridi is retiring following the World T20 and the pressure on the talisman from Khyber Agency has perhaps never been greater in his roller coaster two-decade long international career. His bowling form was average in the Asia Cup, an event where Pakistan suffered an embarrassing early exit, while his batting returns were completely non-existent — two and zero from two outings.
At times his captaincy was listless too as his hapless batsmen cut a sorry figure on the demanding Mirpur tracks. But Afridi’s fan club still hopes that ‘Lala’ isn’t going to let them down; they are praying for a last hurrah from the one that they have adored over the years but with opponents like India, New Zealand, Australia and even Bangladesh, the test is as stern as it gets.
Hafeez’s harrowing tale in Mirpur — 31 runs in four innings — coupled with his age and meagre returns in the format more or less ensure that the Indian sojourn is set to be the last time he strides out in the T20 colours for Pakistan.
Hafeez led the team in the 2012 and 2014 editions — only Pakistani thus far captain to lead in two World T20 tournaments — since he handed over the captaincy after his own form plummeted and unfortunately, just like most of his teammates, he has failed to expand his game. But the bare batting stocks have served him another opportunity; can the Professor finally churn out a formula for success?
Malik made a grand entry to the international scene with his Bradman-esque run against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka last year and continues to provide some semblance of consistency to the, at times, hopelessly fragile middle order.
At 34, he isn’t likely to stay around for the 2020 WorldT20, and for many fans Malik has remained an enigma with his mood swings and questionable commitment. But the negativity can be put to bed for good with a stellar campaign that leads the team to silverware. Malik is a study of concentration in the ‘Abhi Nahi Tu Kabhi Nahi’ ad, and he must replicate the same in the middle.
Pakistan expected great things from the seven-foot beanpole Mohammad Irfan when he first made his international debut six year ago. But injuries throughout the 33-year-old’s career have left a lot to be desired with his numbers.
Despite being a strike bowler Irfan has collected a mere 13 wickets from 17 T20I appearances. His advancing years coupled with his fragile body might not give him another chance of entering the folklore of Pakistan cricket. Irfan must fire on all cylinders, must bowl at his quickest and meanest and rattle the opponents with fiery bursts from hell.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2016.
One of the lead sponsors of the national team — a soft drink giant — has initiated a smart campaign for the World T20. ‘Abhi Nahi Tu Kabhi Nahi’ (now or never) that’s exactly what captain Shahid Afridi, senior batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik and fast-bowler Mohammad Irfan must be feeling since none of the quartet is expected to feature in the next edition of the tournament when it comes back after not the usual two-year, but a four-year gap in 2020.
And yes even Afridi is retiring following the World T20 and the pressure on the talisman from Khyber Agency has perhaps never been greater in his roller coaster two-decade long international career. His bowling form was average in the Asia Cup, an event where Pakistan suffered an embarrassing early exit, while his batting returns were completely non-existent — two and zero from two outings.
At times his captaincy was listless too as his hapless batsmen cut a sorry figure on the demanding Mirpur tracks. But Afridi’s fan club still hopes that ‘Lala’ isn’t going to let them down; they are praying for a last hurrah from the one that they have adored over the years but with opponents like India, New Zealand, Australia and even Bangladesh, the test is as stern as it gets.
Hafeez’s harrowing tale in Mirpur — 31 runs in four innings — coupled with his age and meagre returns in the format more or less ensure that the Indian sojourn is set to be the last time he strides out in the T20 colours for Pakistan.
Hafeez led the team in the 2012 and 2014 editions — only Pakistani thus far captain to lead in two World T20 tournaments — since he handed over the captaincy after his own form plummeted and unfortunately, just like most of his teammates, he has failed to expand his game. But the bare batting stocks have served him another opportunity; can the Professor finally churn out a formula for success?
Malik made a grand entry to the international scene with his Bradman-esque run against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka last year and continues to provide some semblance of consistency to the, at times, hopelessly fragile middle order.
At 34, he isn’t likely to stay around for the 2020 WorldT20, and for many fans Malik has remained an enigma with his mood swings and questionable commitment. But the negativity can be put to bed for good with a stellar campaign that leads the team to silverware. Malik is a study of concentration in the ‘Abhi Nahi Tu Kabhi Nahi’ ad, and he must replicate the same in the middle.
Pakistan expected great things from the seven-foot beanpole Mohammad Irfan when he first made his international debut six year ago. But injuries throughout the 33-year-old’s career have left a lot to be desired with his numbers.
Despite being a strike bowler Irfan has collected a mere 13 wickets from 17 T20I appearances. His advancing years coupled with his fragile body might not give him another chance of entering the folklore of Pakistan cricket. Irfan must fire on all cylinders, must bowl at his quickest and meanest and rattle the opponents with fiery bursts from hell.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2016.