Another disappointing performance and irresponsible innings by Shahid Afridi. I think he is over rated and doesn’t add much value to the Pakistani line-up.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Faisal Iqbal could have helped.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
When Afridi was recalled in Woolmer's rein, he was a re-born cricketer. His bowling had improved to great proportions while his presence at the wicket was assured, shot selection was selective and hence we saw a totally transformed Afridi; He decimated every bowling attack both in tests and one dayersl; up until one day series against India at home.
He got injured after first one dayer and since then he is back to his old ways. Put that retirement thing in between and since then his performances have been below par. His body language which is usually aggressive and rubs in other players on the field is somewhat lost.
But Woolmer and captains have not helped either. Against england in one dayers he was not given a permanent spot (like he was of late) and he was asked to hit out in extremely seaming conditions at headingley. In this tournament, he has been asked to play at number 5, which is the most important batting number where a batsmen consolidates and lay platform for others to build which is clearly not Afridi's forte. He is back to his old ways no doubt where his shots are not coming off, he is out of form and he wants to hit his way back in form which is not happening and management isnt helping either. He should be played at six or seven.
He is a vital cog in our team and with him on fire, we are even more dangerous. Lets hope sanity prevails and he bats lower the order OR as an opener (if its really imperative). He might not even score but his dismissal wont hurt us as badly as it did in last two matches.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
I agree with Saby, Afridi is important but we need to understand is that he is not a complete player and to use him, team needs to be intelligent. We can not use him everytime in every game. Espcially this tournament, when we have Razzaq and Malik, Afridi can be replace for a steady batsman. Coach and captains have done a good job with him but we really need to be consistent with his lineup.
I hope, hope he comes though against South Africa because we dersperatly need him. He can be the difference maker.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
^ Maybe so, but against SA he should not be played. he has not performed for a while and deserves to be dropped.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
This is what I feared all along. AFridi is a 'vital cog' in the Pakistan machine and has played a vital part in our resurgence. Unfortunately for us, once he was doing well, WE WENT BACK TO OUR OLD WAYS of mishandling him. Sending him in when we wanted to conserve wickets and lay platform and not hitout which is any position from 1-5. It's the old cycle again, he fails at these positions, because small cameos don't help at these positionswhen you lose your wicket. HIs own supporters called for his axing, and I had been predicting htat if we continue playing him up the order, all these Afridi fans will be calling for his head again.
If we lose him, we'll lose a 'threat' that he becomes being in our team, and a good bowler. It's sad to see his career ruined because of mishandling of his position. If they had not sent him at number 5 today, things could have been different in this match with AFridi coming in after the loss of Malik/Razzaq. It's a shame really.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
I know ehsan bhai but batting is not the major reason we lost. Our bowling gave just too many runs. The question is should Pakistan take the risk of one-dimensional run chase team against SA or this.
The bowling just needs to click and we really do not have better options with bowlers/ spinners.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Lets give Afridi and Rana a much needed break. To make myself clear, I am not rushing for their blood. They are good players and will come back but sometime it happens that players recovers quickly when they are out of team than when they are in. Both seems to be out of thoughts in this tournament.
Lets Include Faisal Iqbal and Yasir Arafat in place of these 2 players. Thats why you take extra players with you on the tour.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
His batting average is a massive 9 in the last 20 ODI's. Not 5 or 7 or 10 ODI's but 20. Come on you have to be desperate to still play him.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
I know, when Afridi fails he is just pathetic. I think most of us think that his 'form' is just a click away.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Actually its the same in 24 last game.
9.80 - Shahid Afridi’s batting average in his last 24 ODIs. His highest score during this period is 34
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Team Pakistan is going thru a transition phase where players are adjusting to change of guard, its bound to have its repurcussions on mercurial players such as Afridi. In times like these when players are finding it difficulty in adjustment they need to be rested so they can rejuvenate their passion for the game. I have no doubt that afridi will hit back with an Afridi express but as of right now he needs to go home and ponder his options.
Rana also needs a much needed rest and new players need to be tried b4 the crucial World cup, maybe last match with South Africa may not be the appropiate timing but certainly series with WI sud give us a chance to try out new players, Muhammed Hafeez is another classic case of proving detractors wrong.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Captain need to use Afridi wisely,send him to open the inning.He plays better with the pace when ball is coming on to the bat.This way he'll play his natural game,when he goes in @number 5,6 or 7 in a pressure situation ,he can't take the heat very well.
Again let him be the opener,"Chal Gaya tou balay balay"
at least team will not rely on him in later stages of the game.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
yah, i agree
we need to re-think our strategies and make our game plan revolving afridi. After all, he is the guy we all watch cricket for. Inzi was a lousy captain when he sent Afridi down the order and now Younis is at fault for sending him up the order. The "ballay ballay" cricketers should dictate the game after all cuz they provide entertainment... haarna jeetna and the game plan should be secondary at best, cuz we need afridi to play his 'natural' game and to find his natural position should be the primary concern of the coaching staff and the captain cuz u know he won't take the heat well and will crumble under pressure.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
I am not a fan of change when it comes to big important matches, they need to plan for the game against Saffies, IMO with the same team I am not in for the change at this moment at all; whether it be Faisal or Arafat.
Yes, both Rana and Afridi has dissapoint us with bad performances, but I think they might come good for the most important game of the year. Younis Khan will need to lead them with prime example (batting and motivation in the field). As for Afridi natural game well if that is the case then he should be promoted to the top to open with either Farhat or Hafeez and either should drop down.
Winning or losing the games doesn't break my heart, its the way they loose, Win against Srilanka, Loss against Newzeland.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
We all undertsand that he should be sent either as an opener or during the last overs depending on the situation. How hard is it for our professionals to understand this.
He still can be trusted if used strategically. We don't have anyone else. Faisal Iqbal is good but would he be useful if we need to chase more than 260 or so
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Yes he could be good if PAK could get 15-20 overs from Hafeez/Malik/Farhat, because PAK needs these overs to accelerate over rate. If Pak could get overs issue aside then Faisal is useful on two accounts: 1) he is a better batsman of spin and wicket does help spinners more than fast. 2) as far as slog hitting is concern, PAK can use Hafeez, Malik, Razzaq and Akmal plus Yasir (if they rest Rana) for slog hitting and Farhat, Younis, Yousaf and Faisal for consolidating the innings.
I guess Faisal for Afridi (less likely to happen) and Yasir for Rana (most probably will happen) will make PAK side a better unit for final game.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
I think one Khan (Younis) is giving unfair advantage to another (Afridi) by keeping him at number5.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
afridi is lacking confidence. i think.he's probably getting depressed thinking that he is 30 now and can't stay young forever,he is 30 or 31 by the way not 26.playing him at no 5 does'nt help his cause.it is a quite a stupid decision by younis to keep playing him at that no.he could've done much beter yesterday at no 7 or 8.i think Azhar Mehmood should be recalled,he is in good form and could do better than rana and afridi at this time.
Re: Afridi a dead wood, should be dropped from the team
Azhar definitely is a better bat than Afridi.