Shahid Afridi asks - what’s wrong with Pakistan’s temperament?
Pakistan’s limited over captain http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Afridi-c2482 believes that Pakistan’s poor performance in the ongoing test series against England is due to the lack of temperament amongst the team members. Afridi further added that the team has plenty of talent but it is better designed for the shorter version of the game.
The ODI captain claimed, “I think we have seen the players up close after their performances in England and obviously there will be some changes for the one-day series but I feel we have a good combination for limited over’s cricket although we are struggling in test matches.”
Afridi further lamented, “We are struggling in England because we don’t have too many players with the right temperament for five-day cricket. But in terms of England we have talented players for the shorter versions of the sport.”
Afridi has quite a lot of experience to back his claims. Since his One Day International (ODI) debut on 2nd October 1996 against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Kenya-c752 in Nairobi, there has been no looking back for this Pathan from the Khyber Agency. His test debut followed soon on 22nd October 1998 against Australia in Karachi. Due to his aggressive batting style, he is well known as ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi amongst fans, cricket experts and the general public around the world. Due to his expertise with the bat, Afridi has a tremendous record of 280 sixes in his entire career.
The master blaster is one of the most popular cricketers in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 as well the world. In the beginning of February 2010, Afridi’s strike rate in ODI’s was recorded at an impressive 111.65 runs per 100 balls. He also scored over 6000 ODI runs at an average of under 25 and has taken more than 270 wickets at an average of 34.73.
But one would question Afridi’s own credibility and temperament. The player has always been mired in controversies during his international career. Afridi was caught on camera while tempering with the pitch during a match against England in 2005. In 2007, Afridi was seen thrusting his bat at a spectator after he swore at him. In 2010, Afridi was caught on tape while tampering with the ball in a series against Australia at the WACA. Shahid Afridi’s last controversy came about when he retired from test cricket after losing to Australia on the fourth day at Lord’s on 16th July 2010.
With all the ups and downs in his career, he still is by far, the most entertaining, watched and loved player in the history of Pakistani cricket. His exceptional batting style gives pleasure to viewers and supporters of opposition sides as well. Afridi is surely a selling point of every tournament he plays in. The fans love everything about him. Afridi’s body language, his cricketing sense and his leg breaks have won the hearts of millions across the world. At just 30, Afridi has played cricket at the highest level for the past 14 years now.
Moreover, the advent of T20 cricket has groomed the abilities of this player; making Afridi into a much bigger superstar around the globe. The 20-over game is highly suited to his batting style. Afridi brought the T20 World Cup in 2009 under the captaincy of Younis Khan. He played aggressively after making fifty in the semi-final and the final as well.
Some might argue that Afridi is not test captain material. However, ‘BOOM BOOM’ has already accepted the fact that the longer version of the game does not suit his cricketing style. Whereas, in the shorter version of the game, Afridi’s appointment as captain has paid off. Even in the two T20 matches played against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 in England, Pakistan achieved impressive wins over Australia.
Afridi’s intentions are good and he wants to give something to the deprived and troubled people of his country. One will have to wait and see whether Afridi’s predictions and expectations are up to the mark or not.
Afridi said, “We have had so many problems in Pakistan with millions being rendered homeless due to the floods. I just want to contribute in bringing some joy to our people facing so many problems right now.”
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