Should Afridi go up the order against India?
If Afridi is going to persist with his hit-and-miss approach, could he be used as an option early on? -Photo by AP
What is Shahid Afridi worth?
His bowling in the ongoing World T20 has been decent, the batting not so much.
For Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez, Afridi’s presence alone on the field adds value to the team and perhaps some tactical dilemmas for the opposition.
But when Pakistan take on India in their much-hyped clash on Sunday, Afridi will need to do a little more perhaps. An electric performance in the field, a couple of useful breakthroughs and maybe even a few runs with the bat, so as to ensure his ‘presence’ is actually felt by the opponents.
His bowling is obviously not the concern, an economy rate of 6.33 an over in the tournament is not too bad. It is his ‘indifferent’ approach to his role as a batsman, even in tight situations, such as the one against South Africa, which is most disconcerting.
Hafeez defended Afridi’s inconsistent form in the run up to the event and has stood by his star player in almost all press conferences in Sri Lanka so far. On the eve of the big match he once again sprung to the defence of the ‘all-rounder’.
“You don’t finish a career on the basis of one bad match. Afridi has always done well for Pakistan. His good or bad performances don’t matter to the team as much as his presence in the field does, that is the big thing.”
One possibility for Pakistan and Afridi himself would be a promotion up the order. The man relishes the challenge against India and maybe he needs the kind of belief that Younis Khan instilled in him in 2009.
Can Hafeez afford to do the same? If Afridi is going to persist with his hit-and-miss approach, could he be used as an option early on? Could it be the kind role he is looking for and should Pakistan shuffle around a combination that has worked well so far?
Pakistan are expected to go in with the same line up, should there be a change?
1 Mohammad Hafeez (capt.), 2 Imran Nazir, 3 Nasir Jamshed, 4 Kamran Akmal (wk), 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Umar Akmal, 7 Shahid Afridi, 8 Umar Gul, 9 Yasir Arafat, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Raza Hasan.
For Afridi its not BOOM BOOM….its Bhussss Bhusssss…..
Pakistanis ki to purani aadath hai jab koi khiladi acha khelta hai to sab taarif kerte hai,acha nahi khela bechara strugle karega to bhokna shuru kerdete hai.retirement ke peeche pad ker to Akhtar to nikaal diya ab Afridi ke peeche padker usko nikaal doge to tuhari team mai bachega kon? girls ko team mai rakh lo. hahahahaha……..!
Afridi has lost what he had been known for. Even he may not remember when he was the best in batting so where does he fit in. In blowing too he not the best in any case. I am very fond of him but my liking cannot and should not cost the country. It is high time for us to find someone better than him. Shoaib Malik has played as a better batsman though he had been discreded but has come back better than earlier.
Iqbal Hadi Zaidi
Move him…out of the team!
I would bring Afridi up the line and open with Imran nazir and show india that we mean business and if afridi goes then we are back to number one start up of Imran nazir and Hafeez, I would also get rid of Arafat and bring in Abdul Razak and get this match on our books as a win….
miss and hit? if you send some at number 7, with few deliveries to play, should that person take an hour to settle down?
Afridi is a match winner and have performed well against india (either bowling or batting). Pakistan Should make Abdul Razzaq play as he also has a good record against india. He will definately do better than Arfat and his experience with bowling can bring plus to the side (unfortunately, his bowling skills are wasted so far).
Afridi isn’t in form so I am not sure what you gain from moving him up the order against India. Move him down to 10th.
Not to play Afridi is a risk however to play Afridi is a bigger risk. This poor fellow has got such a bad timing that mostly he gets out caught, at near about 30 yards circle. In batting line up he hardly deserves to come at number 11. If at all he is to be included in the team, he should only be considered as a bowler, who can’t bat.
Afridi is a man of match tilter. He should not be tried to perform miracle in tense situation, as this will thwart his capabilities.
The unfortunate dilemma with Afridi’s batting is that there are hardly any overs left in the innings for him to bat (when he goes in to bat); with exception of the SA match. With just two or three overs left in the innings he can only hit the ball and try to score some extra runs…
He is no doubt a terrific ‘Bowler’ both in T20 & ODI and batting up the order will give him a chance to settle down. He is still a match winner and a huge threat for the opposition team!!