There are not many players who can make a crowd standstill, who can provide breathtaking action in the middle of a cricket. If aggression was the sole criteria for ICC Cricket Rankings then there is no doubt Shahid Afridi would be the best player in the world. He has been a loyal servant of Pakistan cricket. His transition from a slam bam opening batsman to a quality leg spinner defines his urge to keep upgrading his skills. Having burst on to the scene in a match held at the Nairobi Gymkhana Stadium, he made an instant name for himself by hitting the fastest ODI century against Sri Lanka. He scored a century of 37 balls. He was aged only 16 at that time and became the youngest player to score an ODI century. Being sent in as a pinch hitter to counter the Sanath Jayasuriya effect of Sri Lanka, Pakistan unraveled a rare jewel.
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| Shahid Afridi: Aggression is his other name |
He started taking on the role of the pinch hitter for Pakistan coming in as an opener or a one down batsman and dazzling the opposition and fans with his strokeplay. He knew no restraints and if there was ball coming towards him, sole aim of Afridi was to send it to the boundary ropes. He had limited success because his approach often brought about his demise. Bowlers had started anticipating what the tall Pathan could do. After playing 66 ODIs he made his test debut in October, 1998. He started showing his promise as a leg spinner during his debut series taking five wickets in the match. Then was drafted as Test opener against India and he utilized this opportunity scoring his first test century, which went on to be a decisive factor in Pakistan’s win against their arch rivals.
Soon county cricket in UK came calling for him. He signed a contract with Leicestershire and proved to be a precious player. During the county season he scored 295 at an average of 42.14 with a highest score of 164. He also took 11 wickets at an average of 46.45. In the ODi matches he played for Leicestershire he got 481 runs and took 18 wickets. His 95 runs of 58 balls helped his side win the semi finals of C&G Trophy.
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| Afridi after scoring a test century against India |
He added to his credentials as an attacking batsman by notching up a hundred against India. This century came of just 45 balls and was the second fastest ODI century of the times with Brain Lara. During this time frame Bob Woolmer was appointed the coach of Pakistan. He helped Afridi make his technique more compact and results showed. Afridi had become a more consistent batsman in the next three series. But controversy was just round the corner for this enigmatic all rounder. In the test match against England on November 21, 2005 TV cameras caught him trying to scuff up the pitch using his boots. He was charged against the Spirit of Game conduct and this incident called for harsh criticisms. To focus on 2007 World Cup Shahid Afridi announced his temporary retirement from Test cricket. But he reversed the decision within a few weeks. In 2007 World Twenty20 Afridi performed poorly with the bat but impressed with the ball. His performances as bowler earned him the Man of the Series award though Pakistan was beaten in the final by India.
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| Shahid Afridi has won matches by the swing of his blade |
Only a couple of years later after winning the World Twenty20 Younis Kahn resigned as captain and Shahid Afridi was named the new captain of Pakistan cricket team. Though he was named the captain in all three formats of the game but he decided to shun test captaincy after just 2 matches citing lack of current form. He was removed from the team during the England tour due to the spot fixing scandal but he came clean. Later it was learned that he had even warned players about Mazhar Majeed.
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| Afridi is an useful leg spin bowler too |
When Pakistan toured New Zealand in December 2010 Shahid Afridi became the first player to scalp 50 wickets in T20 Internationals. The team for 2011 World Cup was also slated to be announced and there were other competitors for captaincy role of Pakistani team. But PCB appointed Afridi as the captain. In the World Cup Afridi started out in grand style against Kenya taking 5 wickets for 16 getting the best figures for Pakistan in World Cup matches. Her claimed 17 wickets in 6 matched in the first leg of the tournament. He took 4 wickets in their second round win against West Indies too. But Pakistan bowed out of the tournament in the semi finals to India. Soon he was replaced as a captain and Misbah ul-Haq was named the new captain. Shahid Afridi also decided to retire from all forms of cricket citing his differences with the Board.
He made a comeback once the new PCB committee was formed and has been in outstanding form both with the ball and bat ever since.
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