Afridi’s bold move

With Afridi's retirement, Pakistan will lose a true superstar of the ODI format

After 18 years of non-stop action, Shahid Afridi has decided to draw the curtain on his One-Day International (ODI) career. In an exhilarating span, which started with the then-fastest century in ODIs in October 1996, the mercurial all-rounder has featured in 389 matches. If Pakistan qualify for the final of the World Cup next year, Afridi would complete 400 matches provided he does not miss any of the preceding games. Afridi remained an enigma and 2014 proved to be a typical up-and-down year for the 34-year old. He started the year by winning his team a memorable match against India in the Asia Cup but soon found himself in troubled waters after an ordinary outing against Australia in the UAE. However, against New Zealand, Afridi played arguably the most consistent cricket of his ODI career by making substantial contributions with both bat and ball.

With a remarkable tally of 7,870 runs and 391 wickets, Afridi is on the cusp of reaching uncharted territory in the ODI format. At least 130 more runs and nine additional wickets to his name will make him the first cricketer to score 8,000 runs and collect 400 wickets in ODIs and Afridi will be keenly eyeing these milestones. He will go down in history as arguably the most entertaining cricketer of the ODI format. On his day, he has singlehandedly won Pakistan games both while wielding the willow or giving the ball a tweak through his leg-spinners.

Afridi also frustrated a generation of fans through his penchant of throwing away his wicket on a regular basis and perhaps, not doing complete justice to the talent he had with the bat. He also had the unfortunate tendency to court controversies. But Boom Boom, as Afridi is popularly known, also provided immense joy to millions, especially on the days when he carted the ball all around the park and clobbered mighty sixes. With his retirement, Pakistan will lose a true superstar of the ODI format. The cricket-mad nation hopes that Afridi bows out with the World Cup trophy in his hands.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2014.

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