Welcome back Shahid Afridi, yet again!

Not too long ago, after an impressive show at the Cricket World Cup held earlier this year, in a strange turn of events, Pakistani Cricket Shahid Afridi was stripped off his captaincy inspite of being their best performer. Soon thereafter, in May, Shahid Afridi announced a ‘conditional’ retirement from limited overs cricket after already being retired from Tests. His retirement was a apropos of his differences with PCB and Team management.

Today, in not quite surprising statement, Shahid Afridi has announced his comeback to the International Cricket(limited overs) and offered his services for the national side. I mentioned ‘not surprising’ because, of late, it has become a norm in Pakistan Cricket. Younis Khan did it, Mohammad Yousuf did it and now, Shahid Afridi has done it too.

Shahid Afridi

Afridi had some problems with the then Ijaz Butt and Waqar Younis led Pakistan Cricket Board and the Team Management respectively. Now, with Zaka Ashraf replacing Butt as the new PCB chairman and other significant changes in the management has prompted Afridi to make a comeback. “I didn’t retire as such. I only said I would not play under the previous board but now people has changed, exactly as I wanted, so I am available for selection for the country.”, said an excited Afridi to the press.

The selection committee, on the other hand, has welcomed the move of their star all-rounder. “He is good enough to play for Pakistan”, said Mohammad Illyas, chief selector of Pakistan National Team. Illyas was hopeful of his return, although, he did maintain that Afridi would have to play at domestic games and mustn’t consider himself an automatic selection. He clarified, “I can’t say that he is an automatic selection for the team but at the same time we never questioned his abilities as he has played an ample amount of cricket for Pakistan. We know that he still has cricket left in him.”

His return to the game should give a huge boost to his side. Finally, the youngsters and new recruits to the side would find a role model in the form of Shahid Afridi available in their dressing room. They would be having someone to look up to, to turn for guidance whenever they need and to get inspired and motivated to perform better for their country. Also, what his presence would ensure is definitely more energy on the field, which currently looking quite placid under the leadership of Misbah-ul –Haq, both in Zimbabwe and now in Abu Dhabi. He would be able to provide them their most potent weapon, the killer instinct which may gel well with the calmness of Haq who is, otherwise, doing a fine job as a captain.

Misbah-Ul-Haq

What his skill would bring, apart from 6700 runs and 315 wickets, is a match winner which Pakistan wiould be happy to have. With Akmal brothers facing the match-fixing blues and still struggling to clear their names, the selectors would be happy to have an option of utilizing the services of experienced Afridi rather than rushing back to the tainted duo, at least for some time. Pakistan, now more than ever, is missing a genuine match winner in their line-up and Afridi is exactly that – a Match Winner whon can win them matches single-handedly.

We may expect a quick return for Afridi in the national team because despite his ‘conditional’ retirement, he has been maintaining his individual fitness. He may not have played in any International fixtures since May, but he played for Hampshire in England in their Friends T20 championship. All along, he maintained that he would prefer to play for his country but only after his certain demands were realized.

With Afridi coming back to the game may give respite to his fans and unfeigned game lovers, one player who needs to look out is Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin, better look for your legs, the next time you go out to bat, before he watches them again!

Welcome Back Shahid Afridi, yet again!