Re: Afridi
Afridi is often criticised for throwing away his wicket (usu. a reckless aerial shot) or not batting according to the situation but not necessarily because he’s failed with the bat. No player or team can succeed all the time. It is not the defeat but the manner of defeat that is sometimes so hard to take. As long as the players put up a decent fight, sensible people would not criticise them unfairly and take defeat in their stride. Even the odd shambolic displays are ok.
He deserves praise for the way he batted in the last two games but I would not hesitate to criticise him if he bats in the same irresponsible brainless fashion against Lanka etc.