"The table-topper should be handed the PSL 5 Trophy" : Shahid Afridi

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sad to see the PSL end, but health and safety of all concerned is the key, esp those who are travelling back to their homes.Perhaps the decision could have been taken earlier, with regards to the trophy...well the table-topper should be handed the trophy? &#55357;&#56842; <a href="https://twitter.com/MultanSultans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MultanSultans</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1239817144243757059?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


Afridi makes a good point but were Multan that good that other teams in Semis had no chance of beating them?


===


Some more quotes from his video message:

"First of all I would like to thank all the fans in the way they supported us at all the venues and it showed how much you have missed top-quality cricket in the past"

"Because of your support, all our overseas cricketers also enjoyed the experience; We also showed how well we treat our guests which is part of our culture and religion and that was awesome"

"All the overseas cricketers I spoke with said that they all enjoyed the arrangements and the food; I would like to thank all of them for coming over and supported Pakistan cricket in tough times"

"This was a good decision [to postpone PSL] by the PCB for cricketers and the public too"

"Its not clear whether this tournament will be finished off at a later time or called off completely but in my view, they should have called it off and started a new tournament next year"

"The table-topper, regardless of which ever PSL team it was, should have been given the trophy so that the matter would have ended nicely"

"When I was playing our last game of the tournament in Karachi, and there were no fans, then I realized how important a role they play and the fact that we are recognized due to [the love] of our fans"

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Do not agree. The format calls for knock out between top 4 teams. It was never going to be a football league style tournament.

Multan Sultans can take the moral victory for now - but certainly not the PSL trophy.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Technically it would make sense the table topper gets it but that’s in the event of rained off matches.

 

[Savak]

Disagree. Multan Sultans lost their last game. No reason to believe they cannot have an off night in the semi finals or finals. Cricket is all about what happens on the day.

 

[Pakhs]

Disagree. Multan Sultans lost their last game. No reason to believe they cannot have an off night in the semi finals or finals. Cricket is all about what happens on the day.

But they are league toppers anyway so if there are no knock out stage anymore technically they are table toppers and winners of the league.

 

[Shoaibbtt]

But they are league toppers anyway so if there are no knock out stage anymore technically they are table toppers and winners of the league.

Winners by default

 

[aloo paratha]

This is probably what will happen. Don't see the games being played at another time.

 

[coy0607]

Disagree. Multan Sultans lost their last game. No reason to believe they cannot have an off night in the semi finals or finals. Cricket is all about what happens on the day.

You can say that about any team. The question is - do we just leave this PSL without a winner, or do we declare one team as the winner.

And if you're going to declare a team as a winner, there really is no better way than to look at the points table.

And no, I don't see any realistic possibility of PSL 5 continuing in any meaningful capacity.

 

[shane]

I never thought I'd hear a good idea from Shahid Afridi, but I totally agree with him. To continue the tournament at some later date would be comical.

 

[MenInG]

Quotes added to Post #1

 

[JattMaula]

Lala has spoken.

 

[hafizexpress]

All of them should just play cricket fever and settle this

 

[hitthestump]

What do the rules say would happen if hypothetically every match was rained off here on in?

That should provide your answer as it is a virtually identical situation, unless anyone cares to argue otherwise.

 

[Savak]

Just awarding the trophy in this manner without an actual SF and Final being played would take away the gloss of the tournament. Better to just declare the tournament cancelled if the last 3 games cant be played at a later date.

 

[Saj]

I think they should not have a winner.

Forget a winner, move on to PSL6.

 

[Mirpur express]

Another one of Afridi’s brainless posts lol

 

[Shoaibbtt]

Another one of Afridi’s brainless posts lol

I should be taken with a pinch of salt, it’s not as if he’s saying give me the trophy NOW!

 

[Savak]

It all depends on how soon the PCB can find a window, if it is so close to the next PSL, it will take the gloss off and will be pointless.

 

[NauV]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">As the elderly are more vulnerable to the Coronavirus it’s only fair the oldest average age team in the <a href="https://twitter.com/thePSLt20?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thePSLt20</a> take the trophy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PSL5?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PSL5</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MultanSultans?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MultanSultans</a></p>— Ravi Bopara (@ravibopara) <a href="https://twitter.com/ravibopara/status/1239883674855899137?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

Nope ! Its cricket not a stats class.

 

[The Viper]

The positive is that it would reward consistency, but i wouldn't go for it as there is a huge difference in pressure between a knockout contest and a league game.

If the tournament can't be continued at a later date, voiding it and starting fresh next season is the best scenario

 

[Savak]

Cancellation has taken the gloss of the tournament. The winners will have no real way to savor it

 

[moghul]

Unlike Shoaib Akthar, , Shahid Afridi sometime talks sensibly.

 

[ads101]

Best solution IMO. Let's say the semi finals took place but then the final was cancelled, that would be awful. Even if it were postponed, likely foreign players would be different/gone meaning all teams don't have a fair shot.

Multan were clearly the best team in the PSL, and that's quite a surprise given I thought they had one of the worst squads. There was a good chance they'd have won their last match had they taken it more seriously as they had already qualified. I'd go so far to say Multan were the only team who actually looked good, the rest really didn't impress this season at all. Easy decision which keeps people safe. We don't need to worry about stuff like relegation teams like in football, so no need to call the season void.

 

[MenInG]

Same views regarding PSL table-topper expressed by MS Bowling Coach Azhar Mahmood.

 

[MenInG]

CSA have announced winner of their domestic season - Pakistan should do same with PSL and close this chapter and move on.

 

[Savak]

CSA have announced winner of their domestic season - Pakistan should do same with PSL and close this chapter and move on.

I think its the most sensible and prudent thing to do in the circumstances.

 

[Canistani Hero]

Unrealistic to expect foreign contingent to come back for 2 games or even 1 game for that matter. Should take all franchises into confidence and announce table topper as the winner

 

[sweep_shot]

Agree with Afridi here.

MS was undoubtedly the best team in the tournament. They deserve to be the champions if no further game is possible.

 

[Starr]

Psl 5 trophy should be given to people of Pakistan. It was a great tournament to watch. Had an unfortunate end but can't wait till next year !!!

 

[Kroll]

Disagree with Afridi, campaign may well be declared null and void but can't hand out trophy for an incomplete PSL.

Every sporting event is in the same boat so its not like the situation is unique to Pakistan.

 

[MenInG]

There is no way they will find a slot this year - should call it now PCB.

 

[MenInG]

Time passing by - PCB needs to get things sorted now.

 

[SensiblePakFan]

Time passing by - PCB needs to get things sorted now.

November isnt tommorow.

 

[Abdullah719]

"I will play till I'm fit for two reasons - my fans and my charity work" : Shahid Afridi

Afridi on Sawaal cricket ka with Wasim Akram:

"Life is full of challenges and you have to be strong.

"When you play cricket for 20 years and face so much pressure, the family issues and other issues don't seem like issues. The pressure of performances, expectations, media, etc., when you get out it then the rest doesn't seem to be a challenge.

"We were going to benefit most from PSL when it came back to Pakistan. It benefitted everyone.

"The good thing is that it wasn't limited to Karachi and Lahore. People are really enjoying watching cricketers including overseas cricketers. Some thing can improve such as the opening ceremony where 4 teams were available while 2 were in another city.

"Any league's reputation depends on payment. That players are given 70% payment before the league starts is excellent and specially the overseas cricketers are pleased about that. They also say that such fast-bowling attacks are rarely in other leagues.

"If we speak about bowling, the standard is outstanding. The pacers and spinners are great and pitches are excellent. It helps batsmen and bowlers. In the next 3-4 years, I think this will become a very big brand and compete with the likes of IPL.

"I am thankful to Allah for making me a person who cares about humanity. At this stage of life, passing by life is very easy for me. But to help people and get their duas is something big. I come from a household alhamdulillah where I have seen that anyone who comes to our home never leaves empty-handed and that remained in my heart.

"The life that we spend is that of kings. The real Pakistan is in the remote areas. I have gone myself and interacted with people who are struggling in their lives. It's the 21st century and I am seeing a mother deliver a child on the road. I am seeing children taking water home from the same place where horses and donkeys are drinking. This situation exists in Sindh and in other remote areas in Pakistan. Health, education.

"Children walk 7-8 kms, not on road, but crossing hills, to get some water for themselves.

"This is the stage where the country has given me a lot and now it's time to pay back. We have 14 schools in the foundation now and have 4500 students in them. Education is important especially that of girls because society is run by women. So we are focusing a lot on girls' education in remote areas. They aren't taught much in these areas, they are only taught about madrassas. That is also good but world education is very important.

"It's very difficult to raise funds. I started with a hospital in my village. I ran that myself for a few years but the average increased and now 100 patients come daily. In the past few years, 350,000 patients have been treated.

"Overseas Pakistanis have made a terrific contribution and help us a lot.

"I was wanting to leave cricket because I had a knee issue 1.5 year ago. People told me to have surgery done but I said no. This knee troubled me a lot because rehab is difficult. It was a tear. I saw 2-3 guys who had surgery done and they weren't able to perform at the same level.

"I was wanting to leave cricket and I told my wife about that. She said no, you stopped playing for Pakistan but you can continue playing T20. I said I have a knee issue, she said to try. I was lying in bed and facing difficulties. I said I'll try this challenge in life. My trainer worked hard with me, I would have tears in my eyes due to the pain. But I worked for 4 months and alhamdulillah I felt 98% after that before PSL.

"Till I'm fit, I will play. I play for 2 reasons. One is the fans, they want to see me playing and the other reason is charity work.

"We should feel proud that we are Pakistanis and ambassadors of Pakistan. It's easy to target the govt. about everything but I think about my role and how I can improve things for Pakistan, and I request people to also think about that."

 

[Square Drive]

Legend on and off the field. Hats off for the charity work.

 

[Savak]

I fear Afridi is too cricket dependent. Once he is forced to leave the game for good, I wonder if he will struggle to deal with his post cricketing life?

 

[Shoaibbtt]

I fear Afridi is too cricket dependent. Once he is forced to leave the game for good, I wonder if he will struggle to deal with his post cricketing life?

He’s probably the most rich cricketer out there plus he can always coach as well. I reckon him being spin coach wouldn’t be bad, I’ve always rated him for his bowling. Just under 400 Odi wickets is not a bad achievement.