Brief profile of Shahid Afridi by Matthew Reed

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Player:

Shahid Afridi

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DateLine: 12th December 2005

 

Even in the context of other high risk, high reward style players, Shahid Afridi can provoke feelings of joy and despair like no other current international cricketer. With remarkable strength, an excellent eye, and above all, a desire to unceasingly attack, none of his causes are ever lost or his innings dull. However, his attacking desires inevitably lead to many indiscrete shots and infuriating dismissals. His reputation as a cricketing berserker was set in stone from his first limited-overs innings (in his second match), where he terrorised a strong Sri Lankan attack for a 40 ball 102 at Nairobi in October 1996. Such a feat would be incredible at any time or in any context, but the fact that he was just 16 years old at the time gives even more incredulity to the tale, as well as giving credit to the Pakistani tradition of internationally blooding incredibly raw youngsters. Inevitably, many unwisely expected a similar knock every time he put the pads on, and this still affects how he is seen by the cricketing world today. Regardless of whether he scores a duck or a century, he will always play in the same, ultra-attacking style. His stints in South African and English First-class cricket produced useful bowling spells and entertaining innings interspersed with selfish, silly dismissals. For example, his time with Leicestershire saw him single-handedly dismantle a strong Lancashire line-up with the bat in the semi-final of the 2001 C&G Trophy, although he then blotted his copybook in the final. After an impressive bowling spell of 3-47, he then decided to try and cart Andrew Caddick and Richard Johnson to all parts and was dismissed for a 10 ball 20. The leading edge he got seemed to reach the stratosphere before coming down into the keepers gloves (another example of his raw power), and as he traipsed off it was obvious he had totally unfulfilled his role as a senior pro, and Leicestershire slid to defeat.

 

His dismissals are frustrating for both strategic and entertainment reasons, and like all other all or nothing type players, he is rarely anything other than hero or scapegoat. As such, he has been dropped by Pakistan many times, and will always be vulnerable to such a fate. However, a Test batting average of 35 almost justifies a place in the team alone, before his bowling average of 30 (he bowls probably the quickest leg breaks in the game) is considered. Although his bowling is effective in both Test and ODI’s, knowing where to place Shahid Afridi in the batting order can be a problem. If he comes in at no.6 or no.7 there is a danger that a collapsed tail or elapsed overs will waste his unique ability, although if he opens the swinging new ball may prove fatal to his batting philosophy. Although a raw talent like his is most often left alone, a greater ability to intersperse the ‘miss or boundary’ nature of his batting with more singles may make him a harder man to set a field to. If he has a good run in the Pakistan side over the next decade he may yet develop into the best Pakistani all-rounder since Imran Khan, as well as picking up statistical trinkets like most career sixes. Although there is evidence that his bowling has improved with experience, his iconic and pin-up status in Pakistan means his batting style is likely to remain unchanged. The only thing to do is enjoy it while his innings (and his run in the Pakistani side) lasts.

 

December 2005

(Article: Copyright © 2005 Matthew Reed)