It's been Indian batting vs Pakistani bowling for the last 60 years: Shahid Afridi
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It has traditionally been a battle between India's batting and Pakistan's bowling whenever the arch-rivals have met on a cricket field and Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi reckons the trend will continue in their World Twenty20 contest on Saturday.
Pakistan were the last team to land in India, putting aside safety concerns that led to the switching of their match against India from Dharamsala to Kolkata's Eden Gardens.
With the uncertainty around their participation finally over, Afridi had no doubts that the onus, as always, will be on the Pakistani bowlers to trump an Indian lineup teeming with match-winners.
“I think this has been the case over the last 60 years,” the all-rounder told reporters in Kolkata.
Pakistan, who begin their Super 10 campaign on Wednesday against the winner of Sunday's qualifier between Bangladesh and Oman, have never beaten India in a World Cup.
Afridi was confident that his bowling unit, bolstered by paceman Mohammad Amir's return from a fixing ban, can help break the jinx with a slightly improved performance from their inconsistent batting colleagues.
“Our bowling attack is pretty good. You have Mohammad Amir and (Mohammad) Irfan. (Mohammad) Sami is also back and then there is Wahab Riaz. The fast bowling attack overall is very strong.
“If our batsmen, according to team plans, can give us a defendable total, I'm confident (the bowlers can clinch it).
“We also have two quality spinners in Imad Wasim and Mohammad Nawaz. If you look at the entire bowling unit, I'm very confident (of doing well),” said Afridi, who tops the wicket-takers' list in the shortest format with 93 scalps.
The leg-spinner was also enthused by Pakistan's record at Eden Gardens, where they have prevailed in all four matches against India.
“We have good memories of the ground,” Afridi said.
“We have played well at this ground, we know the conditions and the pitch suits us as well.” Afridi denied the uncertainty over their participation was a distraction for his team and said he always enjoyed playing in India.
“In very few countries I enjoyed cricket more than I did in India,” the 36-year-old said.
“I would always remember the love my team and I got from the fans here.
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you. We always enjoyed playing here.”
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Comments (180) Closed
Mar 13, 2016 12:48pm
Good Luck
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Mar 13, 2016 12:49pm
Good luck
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Mar 13, 2016 12:53pm
I am hopeless with the disappointing streak of losses of Pakistani cricket team. Our cricketers have forgotten that they are cricketers and not models selling this and that. Watching pakistani cricket team playing is a waste of time.
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Mar 13, 2016 12:54pm
Although Team Pakistan has not performed well during the last couple of years, but I still have faith in our team. They just need to click once and that is it.. Go Greens Go.. We are all with you. Just perform well..
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Mar 13, 2016 12:55pm
LA LA...you will have to deliver something decent...only the prayers will not work...
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Mar 13, 2016 12:59pm
Best of luck. make us proud not only with your game but also by your conduct and demeanor throughout the tournament.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:06pm
Show some confidence pl. Not only Big talks !!!
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Mar 13, 2016 01:12pm
Final chance to make a name in history against Indian!!!
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Mar 13, 2016 01:15pm
since 1996 until now..this is final showdown for you shahd afridi..all those 20years playing...keep them and blow every ball for 6 like you are in 1996..we know u love cricket and you love to win for pak fans....show the world before u retire...what u can do..prove yourself to yourself...think of 20years journey in cricket u had...we support you...play best..give best ..good luck
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Mar 13, 2016 01:18pm
Lets hope Team Pakistan is able to salvage the drowned prestige. Best of luck to Shahid Afridi & Co.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:20pm
Best of Luck!! We want to see Good Spirit,Self Confidence and Positiveness in Players to win the matches..If then Lost will not hurt your fans that much..
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Mar 13, 2016 01:25pm
As you were prepared for Asia cup!!
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Mar 13, 2016 01:25pm
@Faiz Khilji
You may have your faith in the team but remember it is also last chance for the likes of Afridi to cheat their fans and the nation....intentionally or otherwise. You know what I mean guys!!!!
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Mar 13, 2016 01:26pm
Afridi should sit outside and share his experience, only then our team will be to win any game in the cup.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:30pm
I agree with Shahid Afrdi . He can take the pressure better than anyone else. These has been so much pressure on him, to quit cricket because he has been unable to score runs. But has handled the pressure well and still has not left cricket.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:34pm
Though anything can happen in T20, we need to be realistic that Pakistan will not go through this group. The team just needs to play sensibly and get some good experience out of this tournament. Ideally, we should have replaced Afridi with Misbah for this cup.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:36pm
come, play, and go ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
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Mar 13, 2016 01:40pm
@Salman
Don't worry . As long as we have professor qualifying for the second round is out of question.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:40pm
Please talk with bat and ball, not with mouth. Pakistan has already taken the plunge from 2nd to 8th in the rankings.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:42pm
We are so mentally and physically fit that batsmen can do bowling and bowlers can do batting.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:46pm
More than pressure, it's quality of players that matter (Professionals are not supposed to be under pressure, unless they are rookies or 1st timers), I do not think Pakistani players ever take any pressure. They seem equally confident before & after loosing any match.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:46pm
I see the crickets are very much conscious about them selves and instead of paying attention to the cricket, they pay more attention on themselves to look good and attractive. They always look at their cloths on the field if it is not dirty and how they are looking like. Professionalism is totally missing as they use to come to field without any game plan like boys playing in the streets and they just want to bat and bowl and not concerned about the results. in my teenage, i was also crazy about cricket and following cricket with a passion but now, i do not watch Pakistan cricket matches. i am not sure if i will watch T20 matches too because when when the match start and if Pakistan team is batting, the scorecard is 10 runs and 3 wickets.
Anees Shivani
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Mar 13, 2016 01:46pm
@IRFAN_SYDNEY
Right said mate !! You know what, first Asia cup afridi's comments, then security drama and now this......all this has made the Pakistan matches ( whether against bangla or India or any other) very very interesting and I can't wait..... Many days this March I am gonna leave office early.
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Mar 13, 2016 01:49pm
very good..best of luck Afridi..
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Mar 13, 2016 01:56pm
Good luck but Mr Afridi needs to pay attention to his tactical ability on the field. His field placing and choice of bowler at different stages needs special attention. Then while batting he should appreciate the situation and play accordingly. Don't play to the crowed for God's sake.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:15pm
Come on its 20 overs even malnourished street kid has stamina to play it.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:16pm
My humble request to PCB to please stop LALA from making tall claims. Its better that he keeps his mouth shut and let his performance do the talking on the field. He should be asked to also stop using social media !!! Hope better sense prevails ......
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Mar 13, 2016 02:22pm
Believe me when I say this Pakistan has nothing to lose on 19th March but India has everything and that makes it more dangerous team than Aus and NZ. If it were a 50-50 there was no chance in hell Pakistan could upset us but in T-20 you can never predict a winner until last ball. If you look at the 5 champions all of them were never favorites. Who was betting for India-Pakistan in 2009? Did we ever thought England could ever win a world cup? Or Windies or SL?
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Mar 13, 2016 02:25pm
He should open and lead from the front instead of just big talks...
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Mar 13, 2016 02:35pm
As a cricket fan I support what Sourav Ganguly said this downfall of Pakistan cricket is not good for cricket itself. Imagine a World cup without strong Pakistan or SL. Its super boring. Even Afghanistan is playing better than Pakistan. In an interview Ganguly also accused Inzi and Akram for Pakistan Cricket downfall. When your own boys need you Inzi is coaching Afghanistan while Akram is bowling coach of KKR. But later he also proposed a 3-5 year roadmap for revival of Pakistan cricket which is a positive news.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:48pm
All more reasons why my dear Afridi, you should have better perform.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:48pm
He also said that Pakistan team has always got very warm welcome in India and never felt any threat, as published in Indian new papers. A very welcoming step to visit India, let the games begin.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:09pm
No no from your previous performance ... doesn't like like it
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Mar 13, 2016 03:13pm
"International cricket is all about pressure. The team that handles pressure the best wins," Shahid Afridi said.
We never take any pressure at all so that is why we don't know how to handle it and thus we loose!
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Mar 13, 2016 03:16pm
He won't change.. press conference before each n every tournament with tall claims...press conference after each n every tournament with regret.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:21pm
Meanwhile India had the customary lose before a cup against SA in preparatory game.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:34pm
It's time we all support the team. This is not the time for criticism. I do understand not much is right in Pakistan cricket, including stuff that's within our control. After the T20 WC we should voice our concerns. So for now, support the team please.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:35pm
Best of luck Boom-Boom, and Bangla & Sri lanka fans learn some manners from our Pak brothers ; how to be humble.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:38pm
Physically and mentally prepared? oh well, make us believe then.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:39pm
Love you Afridi! You'r leader and I haven't seen the one in Pakistan team in last many years!
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Mar 13, 2016 03:54pm
Words of wisdom coming out even before game is on, stop wasting time on cricket.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:58pm
Do less talking and spend time on devising a plan to get In-form Tamim and Kohli out.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:01pm
TBH - Even winning a single game in the tournament should be considered an achievement, as either Bangladesh or Afghanistan will become part of this group - I seriously doubt they will be able to beat any of these 2-teams, let alone come close to beating the 3-greatest T20 teams :)
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Mar 13, 2016 04:04pm
So if that is the case then you should always Bat second when playing against India...
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Mar 13, 2016 04:05pm
Afridi can only succeed if he bats in the upper order, may be at No. 4 or 5. Pakistan has her hopes with Umar Akmal and Sarfraz. On bowling side Pakistan must play Imad Wasim.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:06pm
Sir
Javed Miandad was a bowler who hit Chetan Sharma for a last ball six???
Who can forget Zaheer Abbas phenomenol batting against India in 1980s which made Indians to say "Zaheer ab bass" or Saeed Anwar, Inzimam and Yunus Khan record breaking innings in 1990s in India.
Shahid Afridi is wrong to suggest that for last 60 years it's Indian batting versus Pakistan bowling. Such scenario has developed since inconsistent players like Afridi, Hafeez, Malik, Ahmed Shahzad, and Umar Akmal have become part and parcel of Pakistan cricket team!!!
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Mar 13, 2016 04:14pm
Pakistan teams need to consider each match at a time. Our first match is with Bangladesh. We have lost two matches in a row with them. Hope all performs well against them. Then all others matches with India, newzealand and austrialia would be more difficult matches. All players need to be mental strong and positive approach to win these matches. Best of Luck.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:19pm
yes and this is exactly the reason why u doom your batting talent in your country beacuse u always priortise ur bowling and u treat ur batting as 2nd line of defence...
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Mar 13, 2016 04:21pm
Pakistan will have to beat Australia new Zealand and India to be in semis.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:23pm
It has been raining in dharamshala, good pcb moved the game.easy pickings now.drawn point sharing was a no no
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Mar 13, 2016 04:28pm
Pakistan team need to concentrate first to beat bangladesh. These benghalis have beat us twice in row. All cylinders need to fire ro win this match. All other matches will be more tough to beat indian, black caps and aussies
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Mar 13, 2016 04:35pm
Only one performance of batsman in each innings is enough to win.pak bowlers always good.hafeez,malik,akmal,sarfaraz ,afridi all are great .first six overs gives momentum.dont loose wicket.try to get 60 in 6 overs.next 9 overs 50 runs enough.loose less than 3wickets.15 overs 100 runs enough.last five overs get 60 runs.total 160 runs.pak bowling will take care remaining's.don't loose many wicket in first 6 overs.go Pakistan.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:41pm
1. 1-6 overs 50 runs 2 wicket
2. 6-15 overs 50 runs 2 wickets
3. 15-20 overs 50 runs 6 wickets.
Total 150 runs 10 wickets.Pak bowlers easily take care remaining.be committed.that's all.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:54pm
Indians will always support pakistan if its playing against any nation other than India. you will see this. Pakistani players are loved and respected in India. Wasim Akram, shoib akhtar are as much dear to us. Lets not fall pray of politicians.. let love friendship and bhaichara be there.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:55pm
Again there is un necessary media hype to create sensation of India-Pakistan match. In reality, Pakistan team is amomg weakest teams of tournament
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Mar 13, 2016 04:56pm
Afridi don't undermine the performances of all the legendary Pakistani batman starting from Hanif Mohammed down to Saeed Anwar. These players performed very well with their bat.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:07pm
@Hyder Very good point. Saeed Anwar was a great batsman and yes Miandad as well. I would say now however Indias bowling, batting and fielding is stronger now. Afridi is wrong to try to sum up the past sixty years and offend such wonderful players. Pakistan used to be better, now India is better, simple.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:08pm
@Sachin Lovely comment Sach. Indeed India is so exciting to watch these days. But Akhtar is nothing compared to Wasim.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:11pm
they still used to lose matches big time despite having famous trio of yousef,younus& inzi,more than talent it has got to do with the mental side of things,what they require is giving added responsiblity to the batting unit and telling them one cant always rely on our bowling u need to equaly put your hand up and say let us do it together as a unit
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Mar 13, 2016 05:19pm
Mr Afridi we all wish you best of luck but would like to request you to play cricket and don't disgrace us.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:25pm
Strong bowling or not, the fact is saner heads prevailed on both sides. Pak team is in India playing the games. We all get to watch the mouth watering encounter between the world's best bowling attack spearheaded by Amir vs the Indian batting juggernaut. Cricket wins. I hope the Pakistani team and its fans are treated with utmost respect and brotherly love than any other team out there...because after all they are our neighbors and guests. Cheers.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:30pm
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you. We always enjoyed playing here.”
If you are captain and the team keeps losing to India, what do you expect from Pakistanis, who do not like to lose, specially to India. If you lose this time, take the slow boat home, via Argentina.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:40pm
Mr Afridi!
Can you say the following again:
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you. We always enjoyed playing here.”
We have worshipped you for 19 years, accepted your ill mannered batting technique, gambled with keeping you in the team for this long with no consistency and you say we don't love you in Pakistan.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:50pm
Afridi should come as an opener, what's his performance at coming 5 or 6 down? He should open the innings, since T20 is a fast game.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:51pm
Please set your priorities right. You cannot win consistently if you rely on only one aspect of the game. Batting , fielding and captaincy are equally important in ensuring a victory. Do not rely only on bowling. Make sure that the batsmen understand the importance of scoring runs. Two important aspects are 1. Sharjeel khan at the top should resist playing cross batted shots in the air in the first 3 overs. Shahid Afridi can score well if he gives himself an over. A shot along the ground is 4 and in the air a maximum of 6. It is therefore pointless to play lofted shots with the likelihood of being caught in the deep. He should plan his innings to last at least 5 overs and come in earlier . He can win the game himself. Most importantly he has to convince himself that he is a batsman and play accordingly. I feel that he does not take that responsibility which then affects the others. Last chance for redemption.
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Mar 13, 2016 06:03pm
Can you keep quiet and concentrate on your work, Afridi.
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Mar 13, 2016 06:09pm
Time is over for criticism. Now players and coaches must deliver.
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Mar 13, 2016 06:30pm
I'm sick of this lack of ambition , and total predictability . If Mr Afridi cannot improve his out look and has to maintain an 80 s mentality I wish the reality were different but team Pakistan will never improve
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Mar 13, 2016 07:10pm
It seems that Afridi is playing the diplomatic game. Guess he is looking for a lucrative commentator position from espnstar. Also might be a chance to play in IPL.
Dont blame him though it is a sensible thing to do. Right now he should look only at the target of reaching semis. One step at a time.
All the best to Pakistani team. Play well
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Mar 13, 2016 07:12pm
Shahid should come as an opener in all the games. He can change the dynamics of the game in PP.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:13pm
6 day to go pakistan ... T20 world cup record india 4-0 pakistan ... Very soon will be 5-0 .. Ready for the fun?
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Mar 13, 2016 07:16pm
Not to Damper the spirit, Afridi after 2011 world cup went back to Pakistan and said Indians cannot be broadminded like Pakistanis.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:20pm
Wrong Mr. Afridi.....its captain vs captain when it comes to India vs Pakistan. Be a good captain and compete.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:25pm
The title seems to be lead the reader to believe that the Pakistani bowlers are the key to winning the game, without putting the burden on the batsmen. The skipper has already announced that the Pak batsmen are not to be taken into strong consideration for their upcoming match
.I can't believe Mr. Afridi still can't bat decently for a steady knock even after spending 20 years in the game .. Really heart breaking. Sadly, our generation won't still let go of the chant "Boom Boom!" for such overrated players.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:33pm
Who is giving him history lessons? Javed miandad, zaheer abbas, saeed Anwar, Amir Sohail and the list is too long. The answer is no. It has not been 60 years of bowling vs batting. It unfortunately started after 1999 World Cup and we haven't found any good consistent new batsman.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:51pm
Afridi, it is not a battle between Indian batsmen and Pakistani bowlers. Rather it is a battle of how the Pakistani batsmen control their nerves and bat.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:57pm
My Team for WCt20 is as follow:
Shehzad
Hafeez
Sarfaraz
Akmal
Shoaib
Afridi
Imad
Nawaz
Amir
Sami
Irfan
Good Luck Team Pakistan
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Mar 13, 2016 08:15pm
first nemesis for Pak team could be Bangladesh.. They'are playing superb cricket..
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Mar 13, 2016 08:29pm
Surprised at the negative tone of Pak coach & captain.. looks like both are already focused on their post retirement plans.. and India features prominently in the same..
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Mar 13, 2016 08:31pm
Pak will lose. Afridi don't know how to deliver. Just prayers can not get u the win.
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Mar 13, 2016 08:33pm
...pcb...inplace of giving chance to afridi for years...wasted talents like abdul razzaq,azhar mahmood.....
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Mar 13, 2016 08:50pm
Pak will lose. Afridi worst captain ever. Just a big talk no action.
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Mar 13, 2016 08:54pm
When kids play they enjoy more because they are not playing to win or lose can Pakistani and Indian cricket fans learn from these children . Enjoy cricket
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Mar 13, 2016 08:59pm
Welcome to India.
May all our rivalries be only in the sports arenas
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Mar 13, 2016 09:06pm
Please correct your facts Afridi, when Miandad hit a six on the last ball in Sharjah, it was Pakistani batting vs. Indian bowling.
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Mar 13, 2016 09:23pm
Here come the big talks again. There is Bangla test for pak team before match with India. Seeing Bangla bowling, fielding, bowling I believe afridi need to worry about that first. I m assuming BD will go through as 181 send to both for Oman.
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Mar 13, 2016 09:28pm
Changing the venue from Dharmshala to Kolkata at Pakistan's request may not work in its favour as one lac instead of ten thousand spectators will be cheering up team India. Afridi should rather improve his performance especially against India otherwise he may have to consider settling down in India than going back to Pakistan.
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Mar 13, 2016 09:34pm
what does afridi mean here "We have not got this much love even from Pakistan."? He has got way more love and following in Pak than he actually deserved. It was just public pressure which carried his career this long even after years/months of below average performances.
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Mar 13, 2016 09:35pm
At the start of a tournament we will wish you well. You have to repay the confidence that we have in you by memorable performances. May the force be with you.
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Mar 13, 2016 09:42pm
I like Afridi's sportsman conduct in India, he always seems happy and positive. Wish his team good cricket, and enjoyable memorable experience for everyone. They can feel home in India!
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Mar 13, 2016 09:49pm
I hope record against pakistan in ICC event continue.
Keep it up India
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Mar 13, 2016 10:00pm
i see ppl boosting abt players who were there before i was born...if so..we did had a king who played a fantastic cricket...can u pls talk abt current cricket than history which was before 20 yrs...
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Mar 13, 2016 10:02pm
todays cricket depends on batting .
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Mar 13, 2016 10:10pm
Welcome Shahid Bhai to India. May you regain your glory and give a befitting reply to your detractors back in Pakistan.
May you come out as second best team, well only behind India!
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Mar 13, 2016 10:14pm
19th is just one match. If you approach a world cup with one match in mind, you shall never win. Over emphasis on India will not hold Pak in any good at all. Take one match at a time coz all teams are dangerous. What if you win against India and lose poorly overall ? Or India lose against Pakistan and go on to win the WC ?
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Mar 13, 2016 10:15pm
Afridi doesn't know the history of Pakistani cricket.Pakistan used to have a strong batting line as well as a strong bowling side.
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Mar 13, 2016 10:19pm
I have lost all respect for this man.. The Meera of cricket..
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Mar 13, 2016 10:23pm
First time read Afridi talking sense.I hope he continues in tne same strain,even if not playing so well .
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Mar 13, 2016 10:34pm
hope team had learnings from recent debacles and looking forward to good turnaround. may the difficult times be thing of past for pak cricket now. indo pak unity wins.
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Mar 13, 2016 10:34pm
First time read Afridi talking sense,hope he continuesin a similar vein, even not playing so well;he is forgetting strong batting line up under Inti's captaincy and then under Mushtaq.
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Mar 13, 2016 10:37pm
Skipper this is T20 not odi.With exception of Amir and sometimes Irfan our bowling is ordinary. Our ace t20 bowler Ajmal is no longer there.
Someone tell the skipper that they have to score around 160 runs which is a mighty task for our over confident batting line up...
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Mar 13, 2016 11:22pm
"bolstered by paceman Mohammad Amir's return from a fixing ban"
Why the last two word so important. Please do not label Amir with that let him leave his bad patch in his life behind.
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Mar 13, 2016 11:31pm
What a bogus statement! shows you where his mind is at.
Please Afridi bhai: focus on the game, you yourself have won with batting vs India so why this rant about Indian batting vs Pakistani bowling. This is irrelevant BECAUSE you have a duty towards Pakistan to ensure to not create unnecessary storms before the game. All this sensational stuff has absolutely NO advantage to your team mates frail psychology. It is high time for you to play POSITIVE CRICKET in India and IF you beat India show grace and respect to Indian cricket team - some of them are absolutely fantastic individuals. But I am almost imploring you to focus on the cricket and leave all the possibilities of lucrative sponsors etc. You will get more endorsements WHEN you win, compare yourself to how Imran LEAD the team in 1992 and try to be BE LIKE IMRAN KHAN. If you became only 20% of Imran Khan, then we can win, otherwise it will be very difficult and we may even lose to Afghanistan. PLS. THINK!
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Mar 13, 2016 11:41pm
Welcome Pakistan team Good luck for the game and enjoy your stay.
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Mar 13, 2016 11:48pm
What is required at this juncture is to support the team rather than criticize it. Give the boys confidence and stand behind them. They are professionals and know what is at stake. They are capable of performing against all odds. The batsmen should shine and the bowlers must keep their line and length. And the skipper needs to lead with wisdom. You must perform as a team and also as an individual. Play cricket and play it well. Victory will be yours.
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Mar 14, 2016 12:11am
But Shahid, you do not have the figures and information correct. I have been watching and reading about Pakistan Since 1972, Pakistan batting from 1972 to 1985 was not just good but excellent. I had played one 1st class cricket season even before you were born. Pakistan batting was as great as the West Indies in the 70s and mid 80s. During that time with greats like Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, Mushtaq Mohammad, Sadiq Mohammad, Wasim Raja, Mohsin Khan, Javed Miandad., this batting line up would stand tall against the great fast bowlers like Roberts, Holding, Dennis Lillie, Thompson, Croft, Marshall, Garner, Lennie Pascoe. Oh yea, ask these greats and they will tell you all about these great Pakistani batsman. The current Pakistani T20 batsman do not have the technique, drive, temperament and they are very bad learners of the game.
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Mar 14, 2016 12:18am
I hate to say this. But Pakistani team has now become what Newzealand's team was in early 2000s. For sure Pakistan can beat any team on a given day. But can they maintain that momentum? Just like Blackcaps of 2000s, Blackcaps were known to cause a major upset in every big tournament but they never won the title.
So I am trying to say is, Pakistan will definitely beat top teams in this tournament but more importantly they will have to be consistent with the performance.
One major area where Pakistani team will lack is the spinning department. They should have got extra spinners. But anyways, good luck to the Neighbours :) Peace
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Mar 14, 2016 12:47am
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you."
It is very un thankful of you. A statement like this after all these years of pampering you in spite of your dismal performance, you better say good bye to cricket before
some disgruntled fan/s start throwing rotten tomatoes/eggs on you.
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Mar 14, 2016 01:12am
No more talks Lala, we want some action now !!!!
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Mar 14, 2016 03:09am
In very few countries I enjoyed cricket more than I did in India,” the 36-year-old said.
but the same Lala claimed that our hearts are not as big as yours after 11 world cup defeat. So can he admit that claim was a lie
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Mar 14, 2016 03:36am
Wow ! Sudden change of heart ! Afridi is seeking IPL commentator's position after retirement . Going Rameez Raja and Waseem Akram way !
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Mar 14, 2016 03:43am
Really. Aftidi if u are incapable then at least dont muddy the whole lot. There was Saeed Anwar, Inzamam, Miandad, Youhana, Amir Sohail. U and all the batsmen [so caalled] need to learn how to hold a bst corectly first
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Mar 14, 2016 03:43am
OK Afridi, why don't we talk after your match against Bangladesh on 16th? First defeat us then talk about India.
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Mar 14, 2016 05:06am
@Fahim Khan exactly
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Mar 14, 2016 05:18am
@Anon Noone needs to support Pakistan. Remember PCB does not care about performance but rather fans attending to make money. PCB would then care about the performance if fans are not attending because they're losing money.
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Mar 14, 2016 05:22am
The crazy guy who said Indians support him more than Pakistani crowd supports him .
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Mar 14, 2016 05:22am
Good luck. Do not talk too much, show some positivity.
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Mar 14, 2016 06:39am
At this moment, PAK should forget India and concentrate on BD. They are in superb form and charged up. Again - Team PAK, be careful of BD.
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Mar 14, 2016 06:48am
If they play with some intelligence then there is a good chance for Pakistan.
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Mar 14, 2016 07:52am
Afridi is a nice man by nature, and his love for India is well known, youngster should learn from him.
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Mar 14, 2016 08:02am
even if you have good bowling line up , u need 160 -170 in t20's as batting has evolved and bats hv become bigger .......
shoib malik and umar akmal will be fulcrum of pak batting, u will need afridi come in by 12th over get set fr one over, fire for 3 overs , then the likes of sharjeel khan has to fire in top order , with safraz or shezad chipping in with cameos to acheive 170 score
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Mar 14, 2016 08:21am
When a captain talks about bowling versus batting; it displays his lack of confidence in his team's batting. T20 has become very competitive game and PSL should have taught Afridi at least that to win a T 20; you have to excel in all departments and most importantly the fielding. These days you need balanced side with at least 2/3 all rounders and I am sorry but the approach itself is something that does not seem to gel with modern day T20 cricket. Gone are the days when only batting or bowling could win you matches when the difference between the teams is so narrow. No wonder Pakistan has dropped in the rankings to 8.
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Mar 14, 2016 08:23am
The stupid comments that Afridi and Malik are making in India are sickening. If it was up to me I would kick them out of the team.
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Mar 14, 2016 08:30am
since last 10 years where are the Pak bolwers???? almost all are One-hit wonders... one or two unbelievable games and then nothing. Can anybody dare to say the same to indian batting lineup since last 60 years?
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Mar 14, 2016 08:59am
off late india vs pakistan ties lost its' sheen.... no cliffhanger matches, no last ball or last over matches.... nowdays, India is winning matches convincingly
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Mar 14, 2016 09:08am
Cricket mirrors Indo Pak politics.
Pakistan is the bowler( aggressor) and India is the batsman( defender)
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Mar 14, 2016 09:30am
I really disappointed with reporting, like everyone else nobody wants to let go the past of Aamir. Is it really necessary to mention "return from fixing ban". Would you dare to publish ".... Mr. Nawaz sharif return from exile, took the office .....". every time his name comes up?
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Mar 14, 2016 09:32am
Pakstan is as good as any team . Afridi should open the innings to put a competitive score. Luck only favours the brave.
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Mar 14, 2016 09:32am
Pakistan HAS beaten india in the T20 world cup...never in the ODI world cup but they have indeed beaten india in the T20 version
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Mar 14, 2016 09:39am
@NASR, Yes they could have said that team is bolstered by Amir's return after doing some research and development work..
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Mar 14, 2016 09:40am
@jay
Pakistan team is pathetic in fielding too.
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Mar 14, 2016 09:47am
When Virat enters the ground to bat, I am sure Pakistanis today feel the same terror, that Indians felt when Javed Miandad used to enter to bat in 80s and early 90s.
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Mar 14, 2016 09:56am
These comments are due to fear. He does not want to antagonize Indian Public's ire against Pak. I am sure he will play a different tune when he is in pakistan!
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Mar 14, 2016 10:00am
Your last para should be heading.!!
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Mar 14, 2016 10:01am
@Zak : "If you are captain and the team keeps losing to India, what do you expect from Pakistanis, who do not like to lose, specially to India. If you lose this time, take the slow boat home, via Argentina."
Calm down Zak, it is only cricket after all. Winning or losing against India should only be a momentary disappointment or joy, not part of animosity.
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Mar 14, 2016 10:23am
got more love in india then from people of pakistan???, despite bad performances LALA bhai you are still in team! " you r right, our Nation deserve this"!
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Mar 14, 2016 10:30am
Afterall, why wont they love someone who does more harm than good to its own team.
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Mar 14, 2016 11:21am
His confidence seems sky high. As usual. He just make sure he lives on earth and not in the sky.
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Mar 14, 2016 11:29am
I have been somewhat fan of Shahid Afridi until recently after his comment that he has received more love from India than from Pakistan made me hate him. If he wanted to praise Indian hospitality he could have chosen from thousands of words available but saying like that makes me sick of him.
A loser player and a loser captain! that's what I would say to his face for his such remarks.
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Mar 14, 2016 12:00pm
Unnecessary 'India vs Pakistan' hype being created by our Afridi..giving statements every day since landing in india...remember the results will be the same unless you stop giving interviews and start focusing on team preparation, your own batting and captaincy..
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Mar 14, 2016 12:00pm
Should have taken Ajmal in Yasir Shahs absence. Good Luck
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Mar 14, 2016 01:11pm
Afridi says he receives more love in India than Pakistan. Does he really mean this?
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Mar 14, 2016 01:37pm
20 years ago Pakistan had amazing batsmen, it is only after Africa came in that things changed from a balanced side to only a bowling strong team. I don't trust what "boom boom" says, bcoz most of it utter rubbish and double speak - while in India he says PAK team gets more love in India than in Pakistan and when in Pakistan he says they (Indians) are not as large hearted as us, they are negative blah blah blah.
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Mar 14, 2016 02:09pm
@Hanif ..by whom khalid latif and newaz ( have you check their international records). Pak has lowest power play scoring rate among all countries. You can make big score when your tuk tuks ( shezad, hafiz other ) keep tuk tuking without loosing wicket until 12 overs then Afridi , sharfaraz make a good score . . Afridi won't get change any country surly . But in context of Pak he is not ignoble.
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Mar 14, 2016 02:21pm
Action speak better than words, While facing India I suggest Pakistani team to do bat first and set a best score on board because I observe bowlers play well in under pressure than best's men.
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Mar 14, 2016 02:37pm
With Shahid Afridi as captain its clearly a NO WIN sports for Pakistan. Just change the captain and make some reasonable changes and see how this team will perform.
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Mar 14, 2016 03:19pm
If Indian team plays against pakistan the way you guys play against India and starts losing its matches the way you lose to them ... they will also get more love from Pakistan than they get from India!!!
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Mar 14, 2016 03:32pm
Dear Mr. Afridi, if you got more love there, then please do not return. Thankyou very much sir
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Mar 14, 2016 03:35pm
@Ahmed It was Asia cup where Pakistan beat India. In an ICC event Pakistan has not beaten India.
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Mar 14, 2016 03:41pm
Why is Afridi or Shoaib Malik et all giving statements everyday and attending Press conferences. And the only match they talk about is versus India. If at all they should be making statements it should be about their performance or strategy for the tournament. anyways haven't heard from Dhoni or Kohli on the Ind vs Pak match or anything else. Nor have heard any other captain/coach/player making statements and attending press conferences on a daily or regular basis.
I feel Pakistan team should refrain from unnecessary attention which only acts as a distraction and concentrate on practice and training.
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Mar 14, 2016 03:48pm
The stars are aligned for a Pakistani victory. Pakistan will win on 19th. As improbable as it seems, I am telling this now. Don't be surprised!
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Mar 14, 2016 05:47pm
Indians show more love to him than at home. India rocks.
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Mar 14, 2016 05:52pm
@Irfan_Sydney ofc ourse Afridi can take all the pressure. Does he really care about the team situation at any given time in the game. He wants to get his stats up all the time. That's what matters to him.
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Mar 14, 2016 06:04pm
best thing Afridi can do is to open the innings.... he is good in that. all his big scores were mostly scored with a bullet's pace as an opener.
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Mar 14, 2016 06:06pm
@Zak It is a game. One team loses the other wins. No point getting all worked up and nationalistic about it. And if we lose so what? It is how you play the game that matters. I am pleased that we will be playing our brothers, sisters & cousins from across this artificial man made line that acts as a barrier to love, respect & friendship. Shahid Bhai expressed himself very well in the media. Let us hope that Pakistan does well and our players play like true sportsmen.
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Mar 14, 2016 07:33pm
It was the other way round. Pakistani batting vs Indian spin trio in 70's. Has he forgotten Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad' assault during 1976 and 1983 IndoPak series?
Afridi has lived up to his reputation. Irresponsible, flamboyant, and impetuous. Such so called boom booms can only thrive in a rotten setup like our's, namely PCB.
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Mar 14, 2016 07:37pm
Regardless of how you perform,do us a favour, please retire from Cricket post WT20. We as a nation have been awaiting a bowler's retirement who could never play with bat for last 3 and half years. However wishing you and the Pakistan Team all the best dude.
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Mar 14, 2016 07:37pm
Afridi was fined for cheating twice and reprimanded several times. He left captaincy amidst England tour, gave irresponsible statements about PCB officials, got involved in public fight at Lahore airport. Yet he is has been accredited wit the Pak captaincy.
What a role model!
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Mar 14, 2016 07:41pm
Good luck Captain. Live up to expectation.
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Mar 14, 2016 07:42pm
@Rashid Sultan : Very well said, indeed. I like the part where you say 'artificial line that separates us' - may I add, quite unnecessarily, and cruelly it separates us.
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Mar 14, 2016 07:55pm
So why play with batsmen at all? what are you? bowler ? batsmen ? or model with big talks and no performance? I am not counting on anything, because there are no two ways to be considered for any significant performance except performance. Pakistan is at the bottom after top 8 teams in ODI/T20
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Mar 14, 2016 08:04pm
We are behind you Afridi and the rest of team Pakistan. Go fight like tigers. Win or loss is immaterial, your ability to show up with courage is what I and, I think the rest of Pakistan is looking for. Good Luck.
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Mar 14, 2016 08:05pm
Now what do we hear ? Someone in Pakistan has filed a suit against Afridi for saying that he loves India on grounds of sedition ? Is this really true ? .Poor guy are yaar Jeene do in becharo koh. Let him play cricket without putting undue pressure on him. I also read Javedbhai's comments. Afridi's comments are nothing more than mind games that go on in today's modern games, and should NOT be looked as sedition. He has served Pakistan for 18 years+ and let him play his end part of career well. Yeh Sahee nahin hai mere Pakistani bhai log. I think in India and Pakistan we should have an exit strategy for cricketers who get old and should be made to retire gracefully. Indian public did the same thing to Ganguly; Tendulkar, Sehwag ..... It was only Sunil Gavaskar an exception who commented on his retirement that one should retire when people ask "WHY" instead of asking "WHY NOT" ? But then those were different days of cricketing era. Gentlemen's game era instead of "MONEY GAME ERA"
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Mar 14, 2016 08:09pm
Anyone who has a problem with this selection of team for the T-20 WC, specially the ex-cricketers like Abdul Qadir, Aamir Sohail and Sarfaraz Nawaz, should criticize the team selected now and not after the event.
In my opinion the selection criteria is poor as the selectors fail to include a good spin bowler for the India pitches conditions. India will prepare pitches to suit Ashwin, Youraj Singh and Jadeja, Pakistan should have included Saeed Ajmal or Zulfikar Baber in absence of Yasir Shah.
They have once again selected Mohammad Hafeez who is bound to play well in practice warm up matches and against weaker teams like Bangladesh, but come India and New Zealand he will fail miserably as he has never performed overseas in crucial matches. Mark my word.
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Mar 14, 2016 08:47pm
Missing Shan Masood, Haris Sohail and Hammad Azam in the team - too bad Imran and Miandad are retired now, otherwise they would have made these players our backbone.
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Mar 14, 2016 09:09pm
We should wish Pakistan the best of luck. Please stop criticizing now.
Yes we can never agree on the team, but its picked,enjoy the tournament.
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Mar 14, 2016 09:33pm
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you. We always enjoyed playing here.”
I am being told by those who saw the talk by Afridi, he never the above things, it was distorted , manipulated and lies by Indian media. What media ? Amazing.
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Mar 14, 2016 09:36pm
“I would always remember the love my team and I got from the fans here.
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you. We always enjoyed playing here.”
People of your host country love you only when you win if you lose people hate, this the truth, there is no unconditional love.
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Mar 14, 2016 11:11pm
“We got a lot of love here, we did not get this much love even in Pakistan, I can tell you. We always enjoyed playing here.”
After the match.....!
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Mar 14, 2016 11:34pm
Afridi should zip his lip. He should sit on bench. include a batsman in his place. Sarfraz or Shoib should Captain the team"
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Mar 14, 2016 11:58pm
Unfortunately our captain also lack in skills of better communication. He should be asked why he felt necessary to say "He don't get such love in Pakistan as he gets in India" does it make sense?? to me this is absolute rubbish statement.
If you can not explain very well then better just concentrate job on hand instead of non cricketing discussion.
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Mar 15, 2016 12:04am
Admit The Ground Realities!
International cricket is banned in this country and youngsters are not getting experienced.[since 2008]. the toughest time in pakistan cricket history.
Despite our player managed to keep the cricket alive with some of the amazing achievements.
They need our respect and confidence. We shouldn't behave with loser and sick minds
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Mar 15, 2016 12:22am
T20 matches are primarily won on batting prowess. The modern game has got everything favouring the player with the willow. That being said, I personally feel that unless the Indian boys have an off-day, Pakistani chances of winning the Kolkata fixture is distantly remote. Besides, didn't the "mediocre" Indian bowlers skittle out the Pakistani batsmen for a mere 83!
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Mar 15, 2016 12:41am
I am not impressed at all by Indian batting (their bowling isn't worth talking about). Pakistan just needs to field the right side! Get rid of useless players like Afridi and Ahmad Shehzad!
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Mar 15, 2016 01:31am
Seems that this emotional cricketer who has consistently been disappointing his fans will not retire with dignity.
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Mar 15, 2016 02:46am
This is not true. Remember Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad - batsmen from the 80s that gave India a lot of trouble.
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Mar 15, 2016 05:57am
Pathetic response from some of our fans and even past players, criticising afridi for that one sentence which was said for avoiding any unnecessary issue. He should be commended rather than insulted
And for those pakistani fans, he is not only a hero a posterboy for you only, people all over ghe world love him for his charisma, he did not fulfil his true potential ss player but you cant takke away the rspect and fame granted to him by God
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Mar 15, 2016 09:56am
All will be forgiven... Just bring the title home!!
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Mar 15, 2016 01:16pm
Afridi has been a gracious guest and a true sportsman in appreciating the special regard that the Indian cricket fan has for Pakistan. The India Pak match is always special. We are delighted if India wins, but always give Pakistan a good round of applause if they manage to beat us. And that is how it should be!
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Mar 15, 2016 11:36pm
Afridi feels love deprived.Need some loving boy.How about some winning cricket in India? I promise there will be lots of love coming your way.
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