Afridi’s poor form and outburst
TEMPERAMENTAL all- rounder Shahid Afridi after his continuous poor performance in two T20 matches against India landed at Lahore airport where a senior journalist asked him a valid question: “You hit a six and a four in the second match against India but you still flopped.” A visibly frustrated Afridi rebuked the journalist in an angry tone: “Look at your age and then ask a better question.”
The irony is that this sarcastic suggestion has been given by a controversial cricketer who is notorious for damaging the pitch with his spikes and chewing the ball in international cricket matches. Although the question was nasty, it was within the norms of journalism because journalists are trained to ask such questions. It was absolutely a valid question in the background of Afridi’s continuous failure in international cricket.
After his bad performance against Sri Lanka in 2012, Afridi informed the media that he was considering his one- day international career. His performance in the ODI series against Australia was also pathetic.
Afridi returned to the pavilion without scoring a single run in the first match, while in the second he made only seven. In two matches he got one wicket only by giving 99 runs in the 20 overs.
This is not the first time Afridi has demonstrated his childish attitude in front of the media. Instead of telling journalist to see his age, Afridi needs to check his own age which is on the wrong side.
His legs don’t support him while chasing a hit from the batsman’s bat. He is regular soft target for bowlers throwing him a short- pitch ball. His reflexes have gone slow. Even he was caught out on a full toss which amazed the cricket pundits.
Long ago Afridi lost his touch and charm as a pinch-hitter who would hit lofty sixes in the middle. His modelling contracts with multinationals might have stopped him to announce his retirement. But with his continuous poor form, he has badly ruined his image. Most of his fans hoped their star to retire with dignity. It would be better if he bids adieu to limited-over cricket and concentrated on Test.
ASIF SOHAIL
Lahore
‘Doom Doom’ Afridi
There is no cricket left in him.Sixteen years of Internetional cricket is a long period. He should gracefully retire now.New younger players can perform much better than him.
Where and in what institutions the Pakistani journalist get their training?
His days in the field are over for ever. He should have been sent home the moment he exhibited the self-damaging, immature act of ‘chewing’ or eating the ball as an apple. Of late, he had been using pressure tactics to keep himself ‘in’, but his persistent poor show pin-points to his expected ‘exit’, which may give a chance to someone in the awaiting list.
Whatever you have said is probably all true. But is this the way to treat a National Sportsperson? We all agree that World is somewhat biased against us. But have you ever thought it id because we ourselves are biased against our own people instead of supporting them? You reap what you sow. Drag your National heroes to mud and expect the same from world.
We are with you Afridi. We still believe you have a lot more to offer.
Is there any worst left in him, verbally as well as on the ground?
A harsh article to say the least. Talk about hitting someone when they are down but it is not your fault, this is what our culture has become. If I was Afridi, I would say forget this and just become T20 player and play in domestic leagues for the rest of his career. I think luck is not on his side and may be he is trying to regain form but I don;t think it helps to write pointless articles such as this.
as much i dislike Afridi for being in the team, this article is all but rubbish.. maybe the journalist needs to take a glass of water before penning it… if the journalists are trained to ask such sort of questions, they need to be trained enuff to receive such sort of answers.. shame on u mr Asif Sohail..
I will ask Shahid Afridi what his real age is ?
he will be back and will shine as ever as soon as PCB is cleared of corrupt and incompetent people; Whether you like it or not he has leadership qualities and like a king he doesn’t want/need to follow. For outbursts, media should get use to it after all they are the ‘king makers’ these days.
he will be back and will shine as ever as soon as PCB is cleared of corrupt and incompetent people; Whether you like it or notm he has leadership qualities and like a king he doesn’t want/need to follow. For outbursts, media should get use to it after all they are the ‘king maker’s these days.