Afridi — Losing his drift
The white ball flicked out of the hand like a guided missile that had its target already engraved on it. The seam assumed the perfect leg-spinner’s diagonal (1st slip-mid-on), drifted deceptively towards De-Villiers’s stumps, and whisked the dry surface of the pitch. It seemed as if the ball picked up speed instead of shedding the usual few yards. It ricocheted off the batsman’s inside edge, and finally cannoned into the stumps. Cock-a-hoop with joy bowler let the rest of his team surround him and brandished his head from side to side like a proud rooster who had just claimed his reward. The scene should not have looked that good, for it was a rather perfect reenactment of the celebrations that had transpired just an over ago. But it did. It looked even better than the last one. This was Shahid Afridi in the 2009 World T20 semi-final against South Africa.
That afternoon now seems ages ago. Recently, the all-rounder has looked as if he is just going through his paces, first against the Australians in the UAE, and now against the Indians in the warm up to the World T20. To the casual eye, it may seem like Afridi is just ‘sad’ like Ronaldo. But there is a genuine problem that is affecting his performance.
The 2009 conquering of the Proteas saw Afridi at the peak of his powers. He had been talking about concentrating on his bowling for a long time, but it was only the winter prior to that gargantuan effort at the World T20 that he actually put in the hard yards. He worked with the spin maestro Abdul Qadir, and finally figured out the textbook metric for his bowling. Understanding his own strengths, he perfected the pace of his variations (mainly slowing down his leg spinners to allow flight and gravity to play their parts). He had found his zone and seldom did you see him leave it over the two years that followed.
Afridi had discovered what every spinner, especially a legspinner, yearns for throughout his career— drift.
The perils of imitating Shane Warne
Drift is what has separated the respectable from the prodigious over the years. You can beat any ordinary batsman with mere sideways turn, but to beat the best you often need that drift to sway your way. After all, it wasn’t Shane Warne’s square turn that beat Mike Gatting in the summer of 93’ (a player of spin of his caliber could have accounted for that), but it was the drift into him, before the pitch of the delivery, that made the ball almost impossible to play.
Given the angled position of the seam in respect to the axis of rotation and the dynamic direction of the ball’s path through a delivery’s flight, drift is a natural component that comes with any form of wrist spin. This is due to what is scientifically termed the Magnus effect (a slightly complex physical concept dealing with spherical rotations in wind tunnels)*.
But what is of course harder to achieve and carry out consistently is sufficient enough drift to make the batsman think twice, and sow that seed of doubt in his mind. This “magnitude” of drift can be linked to two basic things; the spinner’s swivel (pivot) and the amount of work done on the ball at release (rotations, commonly misrepresented as revolutions on the ball during commentary).
Those familiar with the basics of spin will know that it is the pivot off the leading foot, and the quick rotation of the plane of your backside (up to 120° for leggies), along with the rotations imparted by the hand that determines the spin on the ball. The quicker the pivot or shift in momentum, the more spin the bowler is able to generate, and the easier it becomes for him to impart rotations at the time of release. It’s these rapid rotations (off spinners range between 25-35 rps, while leg spinners range between 35-45rps) that allow the ball to dip quickly after attaining maximum height, and drift in before turning in the opposite direction.
Contrary to the more obvious notion that the amount of turn and bounce determine a spinner’s threat (important as they are), nothing beats the elusive effect of a slant against the normal trajectory of the ball that makes the batsman doubt himself. It is that doubt which made Afridi’s chest puff out three summers past in Nottingham, and helped him reap the rewards in the two years that followed. It is that doubt which made him the best bowler in the 2011 World Cup and allowed him to pounce on his prey, while it deliberated between lurching forwards or perching backwards. Sadly though, for Pakistan, in the period after the World Cup (in which he has averaged an abysmal forty-one with the ball in ODIs against non-minnow sides), it is also that very same doubt which eludes his more accomplished adversaries every time Afridi hurls the ball at them.
The back, due to its pronounced swivel during the spinner’s pivot (as explained) is of greatest importance when it comes to creating drift. It is the major reason why Afridi’s potency has seen a downward trend over the last year or so. The all-rounder has been sporting niggles in his back and side for quite some time now (the keener observers might have picked up on it while seeing him do his normal ground fielding). His aerial catching, diving and throwing (all aspects that keep the back in one plane) remain impressive, but the veteran star is often reluctant when he has to bend down to pick up the simpler rolling ball.
Afridi certainly hasn’t helped his cause. By opting to play in almost every single T20 league open to him, he has not only humoured those niggles, but also allowed them to develop into what now looks like a full-fledged hindrance to his bowling.
It will take the bravest of captains to ever risk resting Afridi, not only is he the talisman of the team, but the surfaces in Sri Lanka (especially in Colombo) are ideal for his style of bowling. However, his absence might not be a confirmed death knell for Hafeez’s men. They do have an able replacement in Raza Hassan. But it it will be unfair to shun the kid into the spotlight during the pressure stages. Going into a major tournament with a back problem for a leg-spinner should be an instinctive no! But when that spinner is Afridi, no one really knows which instinct is at play. Maybe it’s time Pakistan’s gun player looks in the mirror and decides if he can still spot the Prince of Nottingham within.
*Those interested in reading up on the physics of drift should consult the late Bob Woolmer’s Art and Science of Cricket.
A cricket nut since Aqib Javed’s bucket hair style and Wasim bhai’s poetic action took his fancy, the writer, fit only for a slogger is pretending to be a top order bat Down Under and blogs here.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Afridi, Umar Akmal and Imran Nazir should be dropped, so many games the 3 played and not one game have they justified themselves to be in the team, its unfair for team pakistan, the nation and other players who are more responsible and want to be in the team. may Allah open the eyes of the selectors captain and coach.
Afridi is a spent force and it is time for him to have a respectable exit. He should help make room in the national side for a bright young talent to take his place. He should get inspiration from Cricket greats like Imran, Miandad, Waseem Akram and so many who are retired but still respected and loved by cricket fans all over Pakistan. Lala, make the right choice!
Drift or no drift, why would author expose Afridi’s weakness at this critical juncture when the World T20 is in progress?? Couldn’t he have waited a bit longer until the tournament is over. The author has truly demonstrated the art of being a Pakistani — that is to give away the most important info to the world so that they can exploit it. It reminds me of Wasim Akram who would tour around the world giving away the secret to swing the ball and training the opposition’s bowlers. Why is it that we Pakistanis shoot ourselves in the foot!
Following this trend, that day is not too far when we will soon hear that Pakistan’s most prominent spinner Saeed Ajmal is teaching the world how to perform doosras and teesras.
Have we ever seen Shane Warne or Glen McGrath teaching others about their art?? never…
Have you ever seen any former Indian star cricketers to come to Pakistan and teach our kids how to bat or bowl? never…….then WHY DO WE PAKISTANI’s DO IT???!!
Well written. I think Afridi should either improve on his performance or gracefully retire now. How much more time he needs to learn from his mistakes. Present day cricket is more demanding..The game has become more competative…. pakistan cricket team’s history for being unconsistent is quite evident. we need to groom youngsters not only on the basis of their talent……but on latest techniques which are developed over years of experience by experts of the game.
Afridi has done a lot for the country, and we all have high expectations from him and the team aswell. But PCB have to have a realistic approach in order to make pakistan cricket team world class. We should have icons in the game who truely bear the mass with likes of viv richards, don bradman, brian lara, gary sobers, wasim akram, waqar younis, saeed anwar….and so on.
i think he is just upset now a days bcoz he was not given him the perfect place which he required so we dont have the right to critisiz him he is a petriotic player he just play for his nation and country not for his ownself.So plz see next we r only here to critisiz someone.Just look b4 2012 his performance he is the only player who got the title of BOOM BOOM not any other player.I request u all plz think +ve ok PAKISTAN ZINDABAD.
If he reads instruction on the back of cricket bat, he might learn how to use a cricket bat. currently it seems he read instruction manual of baseball bat
Inshallah the King will be back with bang! he is still pakistan best match WINNER
Most over rated player of the world…
I think Afridi has three problems.First due to mediast backing he was thinking that he will be captain which was not given to him so he is disappointed.Second his back trouble and third he is depressed because he is not giving performance expected from him.Hafiz is trying to encourage him but he is unable to deliver which that is why he is frustrated.He has to take it easy and captain and fans should give him space.
He is getting old. He need to realise and start batting in different role by utilising experience. He cant hit balls as he use to some time. He gota play 2009 final role kind of batting. Play sensibly aggresive. His bowling will come good soon.
Salams,
Unfortunately Afridi has played his cricket when player mentors like Imran and Miandad were not captaining the side which is why Afridi, Umar Akmal etc have not matured into next level that belong to great players
This era is perhaps the weakest in terms of both nervous batting and toothless pace bowling plus branded useless coaches like dave watmore and julian fountain.
Only a miracle can revive our cricketers to glory.
Regards,
Hyder
Great article & reviews!!! It just a bad patch for Afridi… He is still a playing ‘ICON’ in the cricket world!!!
You have our support – Bro!
he has a bad patch and nothing else. He was and is a big match player. Time will tell this.
‘Losing his drift’….Are you crazy ….when did he have any drift…he was an empty vessel which sounds maximum…He just has a face value which brings Pakistanis to the stadium and gets tickets sold….otherwise he is just a liability for Pakistan and a great asset for opponents…With Afridi playing, Pakistan is always one down right from starts so the opponent has to worry about taking the other nine wickets…
Okay.
@ true indian U cant bring a all rounder like him, is that whats bothering you?
Oh wow what a meaningless comment, I think you forgot what he did to your bowlers smashing 100 off 45 balls, the time when he smashed you out of the park,
1. He’s the only 2nd player to have 7000+ runs and 350+ wickets in ODIs
2. He has the record for most sixes
3. He has the record for being the youngest player to score century
4. Fastest century, the only batsmen to have scored 50+ runs and taken 5 wicket haul at 2 different venues
5. He has the record for “Most Man of the Match Award” from Pakistan….
Atleast have some respect for the Legendary Cricketer
Don’t be a stereotype
If it was any other player I would definitely shout-out-loud for his retirement but “Afridi” Hell NO!
he is our strike bowler (yes strike bowler) and the best fielder Pakistan has ever-produced. Though I never considered him a batsman.
Those who calls for his retirement, my advice to them, Get a Life and don’t be too pathetic.
Im, agree with u.thoda kharab performence dekhte hi retirement ke liye pressure daalte hai, in logo ko Sachin se khuch sikhna chahiye. Afridi is just 32 .abhi se retirement ki baath kerke afridi ko pareshan kerraha hai.very sad…..if Afridi shows good performance then every one will shout “lala lala” ……..so mean………
every one should support Afridi at his difficult time.and pray for him.
I think he is just lacking a bit of confidence these days. He needs support from the team management and Hafeez. He has a few years to go still before he should hang up his boots.
Afridi should concentrate on his boweling. he is reagarded as classy bowler by all fans now even according to Cricket guru Imran Khan he should b considered as a bowler
Afridi should have been captaining in this T20 worldcup 2012 and i personally think Afridi was so dissapointted the way PCB behave earlier with Afridi by not only taking captaincy from him and put financial penalties. Afridi couldnot make himself out from that position. Afridi is in a sort of revenge positon with other captains e.g Misbah & Hafeez., and righlty so. Although, there is no doubt that in T20 Afridi is the no.1 Choice for captaincy and no one else like Hafeez, Misbah are better than him but it’s about Pakistan now and Afridi should support Hafeez & other team players, thats the only solution to win this World T20 cup 2012 because Ajmal lonely couldnot turned the table and needs some support from other team players.
he is the one of the best cricketer who can change the game with his batting and bowling.He should be given time to prove himself.love u Afridi
When was the last time Afridi won a game for the national team with bowling or batting or fielding?
A very well spotted problem. Afridi is most dangerous when he gets drift and when he gets drift, his body language changes all together. not only he is dangerous then, he also rips through his overs.