Tribune Take: Afridi is back and so is Pakistan
Faras Ghani, sports editor The Express Tribune, says this win was much needed for the morale of the players, especially with the year the team has had. Spot-fixing accusations plagued the Pakistani side for the last year, but with this series win over Sri Lanka Pakistan has moved up the world rankings to the number five slot.
"Shahid Afridi is back, and so is Pakistan" says Ghani. He says Afridi not only plays a key role as an all rounder but also makes other players confident.
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@Akash Gzr: Wonderful compliment - Afridi is the heart of the team :)
@Zain Gilani: awesome yaar!!!
Im lovin it !!!!
The guy who performed against Sri Lanka was not real Afridi. He was a duplicate.
But don't forget, like Salman Butt, Shahid Afridi was also one of those players who were given chances to play with the national side time and again despite their continuous failure after an initiation par excellence. Butt scored a couple of centuries against arch rivals - India and set an example of a complete failure player in the subsequent matches but stuck to the national side notwithstanding all that. Shahid Afridi knocked 100 of just 37 balls in his very first ODI at international level which followed almost complete failure for many following years until he discovered himself being an all-rounder. As long as, the team as well as his fans relied him as a batsman, he never stood up to the expectations but later on, he kept playing from the national side as a regular spinner, an enthusiastic fielder who could also bat. And, now that he has shown maturity in his approach with the batting - T20 final won in 2009, World Cup 2011 and the recently concluded ODI series against islanders, I don't think he needs to take responsibility of captaining the unit. He is best as he is - a player focusing his batting, bowling and fielding. Shahid Afridi! you are lucky to have been given another chance, please don't mess with it now.
@Bilal: a captain is is good as his team.
i 15 years before, A prospect knocked on Pakistan’s door, A versatile talent had rocked the cricketing Floor, A breath-taking journey took off at the speed of jet, 4th OCT 1996, a date Srilankans might never forget.
In a dramatic turnaround, he became the most arrogant guy, Involved in controversies, never gave his brains a try, Never came to the fore when needed, with runs totally dry, Tampered with the pitch, considered the ball an apple pie! Finally thanks to Lord, the brains did break the firm deadlock, Weapons got swapped, now skidding leg-spinners wrecked Havoc!
Revived Pakistan cricket single-handedly from a state of turmoil, Battling all odds brought T20 World cup to Pakistan soil.
Joint-highest World cup wicket taker inspired and led from the front, A Loyal Pakistani all these years, still had to bear the brunt.
With lots of cricket left and Body still agile, The whole world wants to watch the classy celebration style !
So let’s tear out politics and kick the Butt aside, Re-launch a new refreshing BOOM BOOM ride.
The next time we see a pair of fingers pointing towards the sky,
Smiles will fill our faces with chants of Shabash Shabash Shahid bhai =D
Yeah he makes other players very confident by slogging the ball and throwing his wicket away at critical junctures. The team has lost innumerable matches due to his unprofessionalism.
"gives confidence to other players". Seriously, what planet are you guys from?
The person who deserves the lion's share of the credit for Pakistan's resurgence is Misbah. He is the captain Pakistan needed after 2003. It's a pity that Pakistani fans gravitate towards cheaters and unprofessional prima donnas instead of mature, hardworking and professional players like Misbah.
Actions speak louder than words. Let him be the captain for sometime. Whats the big deal?