Misbah & Afridi

Misbahul Haq and Shahid Afridi are arguably the most contrasting set of players one would ever see, yet too often fans end up clubbing them together and trying to prove who the better player is. The idea that perhaps, it is not entirely wise to compare two very different players is often ignored as is the fact that drawing comparisons is an injustice to both. The two cricketers retired from One-Day Internationals (ODI) after Pakistan’s loss to Australia in the World Cup quarter-final, marking end to careers that have seen their fair share of highs and lows. Despite all his class, composure and reliability as batsman and captain, Misbah was often at the receiving end of harsh criticism for his defensive style of play. Some of this criticism may be justified, but too often there have been vindictive diatribes and personal attacks on a man who has led Pakistan honourably in difficult times. Misbah’s sharp reaction to such criticism at a press conference on March 24, therefore, should be seen in this light. The quarter-final exit should not lead us to ignore his stellar services.

Afridi polarises opinions like no other player. In only his second match against Sri Lanka in 1996, he smashed a then-world record fastest century in Nairobi. From there on, he seemed to have remained stuck in that Nairobi frame of mind throughout his career. The all-rounder fell shy of 400 ODI scalps but managed to move past the 8,000-run mark. But, one cannot explain Afridi through statistics alone. It was his destructive ability to spoil the best-laid plans of the opposition was what made him special. His scalp often came cheaply but remained a prized one. Misbah and Afridi feature in the list of fastest century-makers albeit in different formats of the game. While Afridi created panic, among his teammates, fans and in the opposition ranks, Misbah remained a warrior capable of fighting long battles. Both may not be the greatest Pakistan have produced, but their services remain invaluable for many reasons.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  26^th,  2015.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.