Forever mercurial: Rise of the great entertainers
Afridi, Gayle both shine despite recently being at the centre of controversies
Gayle was compared with West Indies legend Viv Richards by coach Phil Simmons after the left-hander scored his second World T20 century. PHOTO: AFP
MUMBAI:
Chris Gayle smashed a century and Shahid Afridi rediscovered his boom with the bat as the veteran destroyers powered the West Indies and Pakistan respectively to victories on Wednesday.
Both men had faced some hostile headlines in recent weeks and they revelled in their triumphs, with Gayle saying he had been on a mission to entertain his teammate Sulieman Benn.
Gayle triggered a firestorm in January when he asked an Australian TV presenter for a date live on air during the Big Bash League.
But in his post-match TV interview after Wednesday’s innings, he said his ‘fantastic’ innings was designed to impress his drinking buddy Benn.
Australia begin quest for elusive T20 crown
“Before I went out, Sulieman said you’re going to ‘entertain me’,” said a beaming Gayle after hitting the third-fastest T20I century. “I wanted to entertain my teammate — he’s my drinking partner as well.”
After his blistering 19-ball 49 helped Pakistan post a commanding total of 201-5, Afridi took two key wickets in a tidy spell that helped limit Bangladesh to 146-6.
A relieved Afridi, accused in some quarters of being a ‘traitor’ for saying he received more ‘love’ from Indian than Pakistani fans, said he was proud to have led by example.
Dilshan powers Sri Lanka to win over Afghanistan
“It’s a big event and I thought I should take responsibility as the captain,” Afridi said after being named man of the match.
While his batting pyrotechnics once earned him the nickname ‘Boom Boom’, Afridi has endured a torrid time at the crease in the last couple of years and some observers felt his ability to play a match-winning innings had gone for good.
But after promoting himself to number four in the order, Afridi smacked four boundaries and four sixes to help Pakistan register their second-highest score in T20s.
After all is Shahid and done, Pakistan win
“I was hungry. I was keen to perform well for my country. As senior player, I had to lead by example,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2016.
Chris Gayle smashed a century and Shahid Afridi rediscovered his boom with the bat as the veteran destroyers powered the West Indies and Pakistan respectively to victories on Wednesday.
Both men had faced some hostile headlines in recent weeks and they revelled in their triumphs, with Gayle saying he had been on a mission to entertain his teammate Sulieman Benn.
Gayle triggered a firestorm in January when he asked an Australian TV presenter for a date live on air during the Big Bash League.
But in his post-match TV interview after Wednesday’s innings, he said his ‘fantastic’ innings was designed to impress his drinking buddy Benn.
Australia begin quest for elusive T20 crown
“Before I went out, Sulieman said you’re going to ‘entertain me’,” said a beaming Gayle after hitting the third-fastest T20I century. “I wanted to entertain my teammate — he’s my drinking partner as well.”
After his blistering 19-ball 49 helped Pakistan post a commanding total of 201-5, Afridi took two key wickets in a tidy spell that helped limit Bangladesh to 146-6.
A relieved Afridi, accused in some quarters of being a ‘traitor’ for saying he received more ‘love’ from Indian than Pakistani fans, said he was proud to have led by example.
Dilshan powers Sri Lanka to win over Afghanistan
“It’s a big event and I thought I should take responsibility as the captain,” Afridi said after being named man of the match.
While his batting pyrotechnics once earned him the nickname ‘Boom Boom’, Afridi has endured a torrid time at the crease in the last couple of years and some observers felt his ability to play a match-winning innings had gone for good.
But after promoting himself to number four in the order, Afridi smacked four boundaries and four sixes to help Pakistan register their second-highest score in T20s.
After all is Shahid and done, Pakistan win
“I was hungry. I was keen to perform well for my country. As senior player, I had to lead by example,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2016.