My viewpoint is obviously that of a layman’s..compared to that of Chappel & Co.
And I understand that its one thing to do “arm-chair” analysis and quite another to implement them on the field.
But I have been wondering what makes it so difficult to size up Shahid Afridi. At the end of the day he is just a slogger with a good eye-sight and powerful fore-arms.
And he is no Dravid or Tendulkar or Inzimam either…with very few chinks in his armor.
Before this series, I had hoped that Chappel with his “analytical skills” would have done some home work on Afridi. For instance I know that Afridi has a weakness against short-pitched stuff…I remember Srinath getting him out with those kind of deliveries on few occasions.
But Afridi continues to make merry esp on sub-continental pitches and against Indian bowling…just wondering How long will the party last ?
He has mature a lot. He gets himself out by being defensive or overly-aggressive. If you look at past two years, he played well against Australia and West Indies in their home ground. The party has just begun.
When Afridi first came to the scene, he was abysmal against short pitched stuff. Like you mentioned he was dismissed quite a few times on short pitch stuff. Then as soon as Javed Miandad’s second stint as coach began he started to work on short pitched stuff and started improving continuously. Now under woolmer he is no slouch to short pitched stuff and a very competent puller and hooker (refer to incredible performances against Lee and McGrath last year in australia)
You can plan all you like against the likes of Afridi, Sehwag, Gilchrist etc but they will still take your bowling apart when in full flow.
Afridi used to be a slogger not anymore. He has matured so much, one can easily see that from his performance since last year.
Yesterday's inning was a treat to watch..specially along with Inzi working with him and making sure Afridi builds his inning even though Afridi losing his concentration on few occasions but Inzi kept him cool and see the result.
But I have been wondering what makes it so difficult to size up Shahid Afridi. At the end of the day he is just a slogger with a good eye-sight and powerful fore-arms.
And he is no Dravid or Tendulkar or Inzimam either...with very few chinks in his armor.
Before this series, I had hoped that Chappel with his "analytical skills" would have done some home work on Afridi. For instance I know that Afridi has a weakness against short-pitched stuff...I remember Srinath getting him out with those kind of deliveries on few occasions.
But Afridi continues to make merry esp on sub-continental pitches and against Indian bowling....just wondering How long will the party last ?
Some 1 bhaijan, thora say addition karlaitay apnay post may
You could have said something like its not all their fault (indian bowlers fault). Afridi as a player has matured alot since the time srinath use to trouble him:D
By the way if you remember he was in murderous form a year ago in Australia during the VB series scoring around 250 runs at at average of almost 40 and strike rate of 160+. He also picked 10 or ore wickets. He could have been easily be the man of the series there. He was however the man of the series later in Windies.
So it's not like he is only enjoyng on sub continent pitches and so it also won't be fair if you are still thinking that he is just a slogger.
I know you must be thinking, ahhhhh.... good old days:(
Afridi has improved tremendously over last 2 years - his rehab into the team is IMO one of Woolmer's biggest achievements. He does have weaknesses, just that Indian bowlers dont have the pace or bounce (or even swing) to really trouble him, even on a pace friendly track, what to say of tracks like this. Srinath was the last Indian bowler with any decent pace. Maybe Nehra, but he cant stay healthy.
Afridi has shown temperament and maturity which was due on him, well this example may help you in understanding.
Shewag has a brilliant record against Pakistan and the bowling dept is clueless against Shewag, they can come up with plans how to draw other players but not against Shewag, and it simply apply to Afridi as well, Like Shewag said “If the ball is there to hit, I will hit it.”
the example you mentioned about Srinath that was from Iceage, so far Afridi has grown alot and become a better player. If you watch Kumble bowling before tea to Inzi and bowling to Afridi, they both were playing a different game. In short what appeals Afridi hand-eye coordination they will try to yeild maximum result from it. :k:
These are my thoughts on Afridi at the end of day's play, taken in context from the thread of first test match.
I personally think Afridi was given a message back in the dressing room to play safe and sound, as I see this is as a huge momentum change, before and after tea.The previous session saw Afridi retaining strike at the end of each over, and immediately after (tea), Inzamam has been desperate to see the first ball of almost every over. This is an excellent move, and will allow more time for the partnership to develop.
I would like to say that who cares about your definition but than I thought even if afridi is an immature batsman according to you, than why he has given so much trouble to indian team.
Just think about it, a batsman who is immature but still is a pain for an entire team, what does that suggest about the team itself:cb:
And then he did hit 4 sixes on next 4 balls without getting out........
See it is one thing when Pakistan or "Mahan Hindustan" declares a war against terrorism and it is another thing when United States of America announces its war on terrorism. What really matters is if the party claiming to achieve a certain goal is properly equipped to back up its claim. If you have the required ability as well as mental toughness, only then your claim gains the credibility. Fortunately, Afridi has both.
Just because Afridi pre-mediated his strike against harbhajan does not disqualify him as a mature batsman. He has the ability and a proven track record to back up his claim and he does not lose his wicket that easily anymore. In addition, we also need to keep the whole situation of the match in perspective and then make a decision. Pakistan had already scored over 600 runs by that time and the pitch was totally dead. Yes, what afridi said and did is not a norm but then these days how much of cricket is being played in a traditional way anyway? Cricket is changing and you will see more and more Jaysuriayas, She-wags, Afridis and Gilchrists in coming days. And here is a quote for you some1.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre
minds -Albert Einstein
:D:D but I am not sure if every one did get this one...only those who have seen jerry delivering his statesman speech in his suit at the end of each of his notoriously sex-laden shows can relate to this comment......
My neighbour to East, its maturity from Afridi’s own standards which he set in last ten years. From cricketing point of view he is a slogger (may be a little consious one now) and for marketing pandits he is one of the biggest entertainers of this game along with Sehwag, Gilchris and Akhtar.
What really matters is if the party claiming to achieve a certain goal is properly equipped to back up its claim. If you have the required ability as well as mental toughness, only then your claim gains the credibility. Fortunately, Afridi has both.
Just because Afridi pre-mediated his strike against harbhajan does not disqualify him as a mature batsman. He has the ability and a proven track record to back up his claim and he does not lose his wicket that easily anymore. In addition, we also need to keep the whole situation of the match in perspective and then make a decision. Pakistan had already scored over 600 runs by that time and the pitch was totally dead. Yes, what afridi said and did is not a norm but then these days how much of cricket is being played in a traditional way anyway? Cricket is changing and you will see more and more Jaysuriayas, She-wags, Afridis and Gilchrists in coming days. And here is a quote for you some1.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre
minds -Albert Einstein
