“Sarfraz is a fighter and Pakistan needs a fighter right now” : Shahid Afridi

[SL_Fan]

Afridi backs Sarfraz to captain Pakistan in all formats

Former T20I captain Shahid Afridi on Monday backed current T20I captain Sarfraz Ahmed to captain Pakistan in all three formats.

Afridi was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the recently renovated Mass Communication Department at the Karachi University (KU). The renovation was funded by the veteran cricketer’s NGO Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) in a move to promote education.

“Sarfraz is a fighter and Pakistan needs a fighter right now,” said Afridi. “He has the ability to captain Pakistan in all three formats.”

The 36-year-old also commented on his cricketing career.

“I have played enough international cricket for Pakistan. I am focusing more on T20 leagues now,” he said.

He also advised cricketers to focus more on their fitness.

“Fitness is very important when you are playing cricket. Players should pay special attention to it. Look at [former Pakistan captain] Imran Khan. He still keeps himself fit,” said Afridi.

The veteran all-rounder also talked about how SAF is helping KU.

“SAF is doing voluntary work across Pakistan,” said Afridi. “The foundation has taken over the administrative setup of looking after KU. The initial contract is for three years.”

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Shahid Afridi hints an international retirement but plans to turn freelance cricketer

Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi today hinted that his international career is all but over and said he now just wants to turn freelance cricketer and enjoy playing in different leagues around the world.

"I have played all the cricket I wanted too and now I just want to focus and enjoy playing in the leagues," Afridi told the reporters at a function at the Karachi University campus here.

The flamboyant all-rounder has not been selected in the national team since he led Pakistan in their disappointing Asia Cup and World T20 campaigns last year after which he quit captaincy.

Although there has been lot of speculation on whether the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will give Afridi a chance to play a farewell match, th cricketer today appeared to have accepted that he might have played his final game for the country.

The all-rounder who is now busy with his foundation and charity work, however, backed wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed to be made Pakistan captain in all three formats.

Backing Sarfaraz, Afridi said Pakistan needed a fighting captain like him.

"In the end it is the decision of the Cricket Board who they appoint as captain but if they want him to lead in all three formats it will be good for Pakistan cricket," he said.

"I think he has the ability to do well as captain and lead the team. I would support him wholeheartedly."

Afridi also backed PCB's efforts to convince international teams to tour Pakistan again.

"I think the visit of Giles Clarke is a good sign and it gives out the message that the security situation and law and order in our country is now better," Afridi said.

"I think if we have the Pakistan Super League final in Pakistan and it will also give out a positive message. But I would like to see PSL matches being held all over the major cricket centres in the country," he stated.

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[Hawkeye]

It's good that Sarfraz keep getting backing from big names.

However, it's not going to end up too well for us.

In the last 1-2 years, with a confirmed spot in the team, his gloves have turned into drop-machines, and his weight has increased significantly, adding inches to his belly.

Batting has also gone down, and his peak is how Shoaib Malik bats.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

It's good that Sarfraz keep getting backing from big names.

However, it's not going to end up too well for us.

In the last 1-2 years, with a confirmed spot in the team, his gloves have turned into drop-machines, and his weight has increased significantly, adding inches to his belly.

Batting has also gone down, and his peak is how Shoaib Malik bats.

Scored a 90 not long ago that made Pakistan chase 300 for the first time in ages

 

[waleed88]

Bringing in Sarfaraz won't make a big difference... Pakistani ODI captaincy is the most talked about topic in the history of Pakistan cricket... The great Misbah ul Haq was the most hated upon, made the scapegoat for the poor performance of the team... even said stuff like it is the Misbah culture introduced in 'naturally aggressive' batsman that make them play like this..

Misbah ul Haq is said to have said being the captain of Pakistan is the most difficult job in the world.. in particular was his reference to the insults he faced because of his ODI captaincy.. (in which the team was poor and he was the best player).. if someone like Misbah has said this then don't think anyone else can sustain the pressure he faced as captain, whether it be Sarfaraz or anyone else

Bringing in a 'fighter' as a captain, is the biggest myth that has existed since Imran Khan's captaincy.. that the 'captain' can make a team believe and make them world beaters..

Maybe 5-10% of a difference, some victories at home.. but won't change the level the team is at

 

[Syed1]

Scored a 90 not long ago that made Pakistan chase 300 for the first time in ages

Bhai don't bring facts in a game of mindless chest-thumping.

 

[Syed1]

Sarfaraz will be a better captain then Azhar by a massive margin and then some. Can't believe it is been two years and we are still suffering under Azhar. It took only a couple of matches for Lahore Qalandars to realize that Azhar is an atrocious captain.

 

[Syed1]

I like how some Pakistani 'fans' are vehemently trying that Sarfaraz doesn't get the job citing his performances in the recent past. Where was this logic when Azhar was being made captain, since he wasn't even in the 30 man squad and his past performances were ALOT worse than Sarfaraz.


And then they say 'there is no bias'

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Of course Sarfraz is leagues above Azhar as a captain and as a Limited Overs player. There's no debating that

 

[Arsalan Pro]

It's good that Sarfraz keep getting backing from big names.

However, it's not going to end up too well for us.

In the last 1-2 years, with a confirmed spot in the team, his gloves have turned into drop-machines, and his weight has increased significantly, adding inches to his belly.

Batting has also gone down, and his peak is how Shoaib Malik bats.

From which angle has his batting gone down?

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

I like how some Pakistani 'fans' are vehemently trying that Sarfaraz doesn't get the job citing his performances in the recent past. Where was this logic when Azhar was being made captain, since he wasn't even in the 30 man squad and his past performances were ALOT worse than Sarfaraz.


And then they say 'there is no bias'

You know the answer, Azhar was misbah and waqars choice

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Everyone said that about you too Shahid, and we all saw how you fared in captaincy.

 

[aloo paratha]

It's good that Sarfraz keep getting backing from big names.

However, it's not going to end up too well for us.

In the last 1-2 years, with a confirmed spot in the team, his gloves have turned into drop-machines, and his weight has increased significantly, adding inches to his belly.

Batting has also gone down, and his peak is how Shoaib Malik bats.

Big exaggeration Had a bad series in Australia, apart from that he was good. He was never a drop machine, that's Kamran.

 

[MMHS]

Sarfraz as Captain in massive improvement than Azhar for ODI, in Test as well over Misbah. Besides, he looks to me a Captain who is a believer of core of PAK cricket - flamboyant & aggressive cricket; which might cost odd easy games, but it's much better than the gentleman philosophy of "honourable defeat". He'll never allow to drift the game away just by going through the motions.

My only reservation is his fitness & work load - he is not good enough to hold on to his spot only as a batsman, hence when his WK suffers (which will - KAkmal was at least twice the WK than Sarfraz, before he got assurance of his spot for his batting & backing from his captains), he can't play as specialist bat & lead the side like Sanga, Stuart or AB. This will cost PAK a spot in the starting XI.

Eventually, it'll end at the hands of Amir & Babar - but what is obvious for any other board, PCB will take at least 4 years & at the cost of another generation before doing that.

 

[Zaz]

Isnt anyone dismayed that how can a player like afridi who still has thoughts of representing pakistan can come out and back sarfraz as captain over the current odi captain and test vice captain?

Absolutely shambolic comments once again from afridi

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Changed his tune again. Not too long ago, he wanted Azhar to remain captain so Sarfaraz isn't burdened. Our ex-cricketers are just as idiotic as the ones working in PCB. Wasim, Shoaib, etc. are the same. They are simply too ignorant to identify players suited for certain roles. Then they pretend to have known it all along.

Imran was truly an exception in this regard.

 

[lonex]

Big exaggeration Had a bad series in Australia, apart from that he was good. He was never a drop machine, that's Kamran.

Also do keep in mind that his mother was sick. This might effect concentration level behind the stumps.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Bringing in Sarfaraz won't make a big difference... Pakistani ODI captaincy is the most talked about topic in the history of Pakistan cricket... The great Misbah ul Haq was the most hated upon, made the scapegoat for the poor performance of the team... even said stuff like it is the Misbah culture introduced in 'naturally aggressive' batsman that make them play like this..

Misbah ul Haq is said to have said being the captain of Pakistan is the most difficult job in the world.. in particular was his reference to the insults he faced because of his ODI captaincy.. (in which the team was poor and he was the best player).. if someone like Misbah has said this then don't think anyone else can sustain the pressure he faced as captain, whether it be Sarfaraz or anyone else

Bringing in a 'fighter' as a captain, is the biggest myth that has existed since Imran Khan's captaincy.. that the 'captain' can make a team believe and make them world beaters..

Maybe 5-10% of a difference, some victories at home.. but won't change the level the team is at

One thing to note on MISBAH'S captaincy was he adjusted to all the seniors to keep his captaincy alive... Pak were struggling to play the modern game and yet he continued to play the seniors.. Only in his last tourney where he man up and dropped hafeez (hiding injury player, sent packing home), dropped MYK didnt play him after the 1st ODI, couldnt get rid of afridi who is a heavyweight and also retiring like MISBAH after the CWC, didnt move Haris from no.3, wanted to give his buddy jamshed a last chance to redeem his cricket career, promoted sarfraz to open.. eventually he played this lineup shehzad, sarfraz, haris, Misbah, UA, Maqsood... which he should have done after the 2013 CT debacle but he feared for his captaincy as the vulture (Afridi) was behind him waiting for the opportunity.. even just before the CWC he was forcing his way back in as captain, if it wasnt SK Afridi would have led the CWC'2015... SK showed some spine to afridi and retained MISBAH which he was fighting for in all his career...

 

[waleed88]

One thing to note on MISBAH'S captaincy was he adjusted to all the seniors to keep his captaincy alive... Pak were struggling to play the modern game and yet he continued to play the seniors.. Only in his last tourney where he man up and dropped hafeez (hiding injury player, sent packing home), dropped MYK didnt play him after the 1st ODI, couldnt get rid of afridi who is a heavyweight and also retiring like MISBAH after the CWC, didnt move Haris from no.3, wanted to give his buddy jamshed a last chance to redeem his cricket career, promoted sarfraz to open.. eventually he played this lineup shehzad, sarfraz, haris, Misbah, UA, Maqsood... which he should have done after the 2013 CT debacle but he feared for his captaincy as the vulture (Afridi) was behind him waiting for the opportunity.. even just before the CWC he was forcing his way back in as captain, if it wasnt SK Afridi would have led the CWC'2015... SK showed some spine to afridi and retained MISBAH which he was fighting for in all his career...

Disagree, Shehzad, Sohaib Maqsood, Sharjeel Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Nasir Jamshed, Hammad Azam, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Talha are all youngsters tried in the team when Misbah was around.. the notion that Misbah only played seniors is incorrect..

Seniors like Hafeez, Malik, Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Afridi consistently failed to deliver in his tenure and had to be removed eventually (should have been)

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

You know the answer, Azhar was misbah and waqars choice

One cannot have their heir apparent outdo them. Or in this case, out slow them:

Misbah/Pakistan Logic: We cannot have Azhar on the team. He is too slow for the modern ODI game.

After Misbah retires....

Misbah/Pakistan logic: Azhar Ali would be not only a fantastic choice to be on the team, but also be captain.

Still boggles my mind how a player is not good enough for a team, and then he is good enough to be captain the moment the former captain retires.

 

[The_Odd_One]

There is nothing to lose here. Appoint Sarfraz captain and either Babar or Aamir as vice captain. If Sarfraz stays fit then let him lead the team until he retires. If his performance and fitness worsen, give the captaincy to his vice captain who will be ready by then.

He can be used like Rashid Latif was used to rebuild the team after 2003 WC. Inzy eventually took over and lead a very solid team.

 

[Barragan]

No, we need a tactician.

No point of fighting out there and losing by 2 runs or 1 wkt because that isn't going to help Pak get up the ladder and away from the bottom.

Pak needs a captain, that is able to outsmart the opposition and win games.

 

[PakLFC]

I hope Afridi is not suggesting yet another comeback for himself. It's the last thing we need.

 

[Speedster777]

Sarfraz is a natural leader.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Disagree, Shehzad, Sohaib Maqsood, Sharjeel Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Amin, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Nasir Jamshed, Hammad Azam, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Talha are all youngsters tried in the team when Misbah was around.. the notion that Misbah only played seniors is incorrect..

Seniors like Hafeez, Malik, Kamran Akmal, Imran Farhat, Afridi consistently failed to deliver in his tenure and had to be removed eventually (should have been)

It is easy to list down the names who made debut etc....I'm saying they were tried, though they gave promising starts to their careers, they were constantly being shuffled here and there, few of them in & out of the team without chances which means selected for a series, no chance but thrown out for next series...And the ones who were performing earlier had a bad patch will be discarded asap because MISBAH and the seniors were also in the hunt to be axed for losing match and they made the poor youngsters scapegoat.. We can find examples for their inconsistent selection on each youngster u named in ur post..

 

[waleed88]

It is easy to list down the names who made debut etc....I'm saying they were tried, though they gave promising starts to their careers, they were constantly being shuffled here and there, few of them in & out of the team without chances which means selected for a series, no chance but thrown out for next series...And the ones who were performing earlier had a bad patch will be discarded asap because MISBAH and the seniors were also in the hunt to be axed for losing match and they made the poor youngsters scapegoat.. We can find examples for their inconsistent selection on each youngster u named in ur post..

None of them was upto the mark in these times... this is a span of 4 years from 2011-15.. Shehzad and Maqsood relatively showed the most consistency, but it was enough to earn them a spot for the WC, in which they failed comprenhensively..

Haris batted well in the WC, but got injured.. and hasn't been seen since then

 

[ask_analyse_act]

None of them was upto the mark in these times... this is a span of 4 years from 2011-15.. Shehzad and Maqsood relatively showed the most consistency, but it was enough to earn them a spot for the WC, in which they failed comprenhensively..

Haris batted well in the WC, but got injured.. and hasn't been seen since then

Umar Amin replaced Jamshed and opened in SA for only 1 ODI did well too, then he never opened again. that was the famous series Pak won 2-1. I still remember his six on Philander's bouncer with excellent timing..

Hammad Azam on his debut inns in WI when he was only 19 years old, came in at a tough time when half the batsmen are gone for less than 50 on board chasing only 170... Made a good promising partnership with MISBAH and steadied the ship and there was only 40 runs to score when he got out.. after this series, check when he next played and how many games did he lose, or is he even in the squad. You will find an answer.

as stated above on hammad azam, the same series from where u can see for how many matches shafiq get the no.3 spot. After this WI series, MISBAH tried MYK, his friend Azhar moving shafiq to open or no.4 brought shafiq's form down and he hit a complete low in ODIs and still not able to find his feet in LOIs, that is why still MOYO is still furious abt MISBAH messing up shafiq's batting.

Yes Maqsood, made 2 fifties in his first 2 ODIs against a quality SA attack, he never batted at no.3 after that. Why? Yes for hafeez being steyn's bunny.

Next is Haris Sohail. Hafeez getting banned for his bowling got us the emergence of Haris Sohail as a consistent selection and he proved his worth in one series (5 matches on the trot).

Many of them on MISBAH's tenure debuted showed good account of themselves. Has potential, showed promise, worthy of selection and always stayed above the rest (TTFs) who are already consistently playing in the team, but soon one after another were dropped down the batting order or dropped from squad to accommodate seniors in the team and to keep his captaincy from any threat...
[MENTION=57576]MRSN[/MENTION] can give more examples than I did

 

[Naseef]

The problem with the PCB was they never game players consistent runs in the team. Although I did not quite like Umar Amin but he surely deserved a longer run in the team after his debut tour. England is always a tough place for any touring side and this guy made his debut there in a series which turned out to be a disaster for many reasons.

Hammad was never given a chance even when he was in the side for 2-3 series scattered across the years. Even in his last series against Zimbabwe in Pakistan he wasn't given a proper chance to bat; with Pakistan scoring a lot of runs they should have sent Hammad up the order because he is an all rounder that Pakistan needs badly. Similarly when he bowled he was given only 5 overs. Why?

Sohaib Maqsood got injured after the World Cup, returned to the side for the Asia cup t20 where he couldn't perform like before and then they dropped him from the World t20. Why wasn't he given another chance? He is among the finer players the country has (if I am not wrong) but why isn't he trusted?

Now I am worried about Haris Sohail. The guy was out for almost 2 years. We don't know if he will be the same player like before! If he fails he might get lost in the system like so many others.

Another player is Sadaf Hussain. He should have made his international debut 6 years ago. But instead players like Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil and Imran Khan got chances in the team. They might have had decent stats in domestic cricket but Sadaf clearly was the best of the lot by a huge margin.

Misbah's problem was he was too much a gentleman to go against the board and think differently. He should have given Hammad and Umar Amin a longer run in the team. Maybe Umar Amin would have actually turned into the player that many believed he was. Hammad would have benefited the most; and Pakistan would have found the fast bowling allrounder that they so dearly want but can't see standing in front of them.