View Full Version : Shahid Afridi "retires" from test cricket until after world cup.
Grimwood
13 Apr 2006, 05:48
Cricinfo Report (http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/pakistan/content/current/story/244180.html)
Ignoring the fact that it is in itself a rather bizarre decision you wonder why he hasn't yet informed the PCB..
Pakistani cricket remains bizarre.
Grimreepah
13 Apr 2006, 11:20
I don't think its such a strange thing. People are doing it already at the end of their careers, and Afridi has been playing since 1996.
There is a lot of cricket played and the two games are becoming more and more different from one another.
crazy_big_al
13 Apr 2006, 11:24
crazy crazy crazy
I don't think its such a strange thing. People are doing it already at the end of their careers, and Afridi has been playing since 1996.
There is a lot of cricket played and the two games are becoming more and more different from one another.
But ... he is only 24 and is a vital cog in the Pakistani lineup? ...
He must have had a fall out with the Board over something ... :thumbsd:
Grimreepah
13 Apr 2006, 11:37
But ... he is only 24 and is a vital cog in the Pakistani lineup? ...
He must have had a fall out with the Board over something ... :thumbsd:
He's 26, and I wouldn't call him a vital cog. He's a handy batsman and a handy bowler, but wouldn't make it into the lineup just as a batsman or just as a bowler.
His game is tailor made to the one day game, mainly because of his ability to score 30 off 12 deliveries (not so important in Tests).
He probably feels drained after 10 years of full time cricket.
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 14:48
He's 26, and I wouldn't call him a vital cog. He's a handy batsman and a handy bowler, but wouldn't make it into the lineup just as a batsman or just as a bowler.
His game is tailor made to the one day game, mainly because of his ability to score 30 off 12 deliveries (not so important in Tests).
He probably feels drained after 10 years of full time cricket.
To be honest that's just a cop out i think.
Football players do more work than a damn cricketer, and the top cricketers get paid more. They play about 12-15 tests a year for gods sake, and it's not like they run a marathon every game.
Poor effort i think, very poor effort.
Browney
13 Apr 2006, 14:50
Strange, he was just starting to become alright in the test arena. Its only a temporary retirement isnt it?
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 14:56
Strange, he was just starting to become alright in the test arena. Its only a temporary retirement isnt it?
Who cares. Hasn't got his heart and mind in the right place it seems.
Grimreepah
13 Apr 2006, 14:58
To be honest that's just a cop out i think.
Football players do more work than a damn cricketer, and the top cricketers get paid more. They play about 12-15 tests a year for gods sake, and it's not like they run a marathon every game.
Poor effort i think, very poor effort.
You can't criticise someone of not accepting lots of money to play cricket. I would have thought the only possible criticism is if they take the money and don't put in. The fact they are highly paid suggests that he has higher priorities than money, which is a good thing.
What about Warne? Is he a cop out?
What about Aussie Jones?
What about Thorpe?
What about you and me? We didn't train hard enough to get into the side in the first place? Where's our ticker?
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 15:20
You can't criticise someone of not accepting lots of money to play cricket. I would have thought the only possible criticism is if they take the money and don't put in. The fact they are highly paid suggests that he has higher priorities than money, which is a good thing.
What about Warne? Is he a cop out?
What about Aussie Jones?
What about Thorpe?
What about you and me? We didn't train hard enough to get into the side in the first place? Where's our ticker?
Thorpe was sick, and if you had any idea how much training a swimmer has to do he wouldn't even be metioned.
Aussie jones is a little different because he quit all together not just to 'have a rest' it's still weak and a poor effort but different.
Warne has been playing cricket for a lot longer and has injury concerns so not quite sure why he is mentioned.
You and me? Well i play cricket and football and also work, i train hard etc but clearly training won't get you to the top you have to have some sort of natural skill. What im really getting at is he has made a commitment, he wants to play tests and he is good enough, what right does he have to say oh tests aren't so important ill give them the flick for a few months. It's shocking really.
Thorpe was sick, and if you had any idea how much training a swimmer has to do he wouldn't even be metioned.
Aussie jones is a little different because he quit all together not just to 'have a rest' it's still weak and a poor effort but different.
Warne has been playing cricket for a lot longer and has injury concerns so not quite sure why he is mentioned.
You and me? Well i play cricket and football and also work, i train hard etc but clearly training won't get you to the top you have to have some sort of natural skill. What im really getting at is he has made a commitment, he wants to play tests and he is good enough, what right does he have to say oh tests aren't so important ill give them the flick for a few months. It's shocking really.
Not really, if he wants to do this and help Pakistan win the WC, and if he succeeds, it aint shocking.
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 15:30
Not really, if he wants to do this and help Pakistan win the WC, and if he succeeds, it aint shocking.
It is. Test cricket is and always will be more important. The fact he needs a rest is my biggest concern? Why would he, let alone any crickter need a rest for gods sake?
It is. Test cricket is and always will be more important. The fact he needs a rest is my biggest concern? Why would he, let alone any crickter need a rest for gods sake?
Try travelling ever year playing away and playing cricket after cricket after cricket. Its pretty easy travelling one street to the end, but please try doing it year in year out for 10 years. it takes it toll.
Like I have said, sub continent teams love their ODI and the World Cup is their most important event, and rightfully so. It ranks up there and is the best torunament in cricket. If Pakistan win the World Cup and Afridi plays well, it would have payed off.
Browney
13 Apr 2006, 15:46
It really isnt that bad of a decision...
Grimreepah
13 Apr 2006, 15:52
Thorpe was sick, and if you had any idea how much training a swimmer has to do he wouldn't even be metioned.
Thorpe took a year off because he needed a rest, not because he was sick. Cricketers train hard as well you know.
Warne has been playing cricket for a lot longer and has injury concerns so not quite sure why he is mentioned.
What injury concerns does Warne have? He wants to preserve his Test career.
The World Cup is a very big event on the cricket schedule, especially in the subcontinent. Afridi has different priorities to you, that's all.
Sometimes people need a break to freshen up. Give the guy a break.
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 16:11
Thorpe took a year off because he needed a rest, not because he was sick. Cricketers train hard as well you know.
What injury concerns does Warne have? He wants to preserve his Test career.
The World Cup is a very big event on the cricket schedule, especially in the subcontinent. Afridi has different priorities to you, that's all.
Sometimes people need a break to freshen up. Give the guy a break.
His shoulder is f***** and is giving him some pain apparently, don't take it as gospel for christ's sake.
Cricketers don't train ANYWHERE near as hard as swimmers, it's really not even close. Yes cricketers train hard but no where near as much or as hard as swimmers.
I can't beleive people don't think this is a bad decision. Again what right does he have to say he wants a rest in the first place? He isn't exactly a star and first choice in the team. This could see his test days limited in the future. If i was a selector and had a player who didn't want to play he certainly wouldn't be picked.
And he isn't exactly resting is he. He is still playing one-dayers, and first class you would imagine, i can't see the point.
Grimreepah
13 Apr 2006, 16:13
His shoulder is f***** and is giving him some pain apparently, don't take it as gospel for christ's sake.
Cricketers don't train ANYWHERE near as hard as swimmers, it's really not even close. Yes cricketers train hard but no where near as much or as hard as swimmers.
I can't beleive people don't think this is a bad decision. Again what right does he have to say he wants a rest in the first place? He isn't exactly a star and first choice in the team. This could see his test days limited in the future. If i was a selector and had a player who didn't want to play he certainly wouldn't be picked.
And he isn't exactly resting is he. He is still playing one-dayers, and first class you would imagine, i can't see the point.
Should he be allowed bail?
Cricket tires you out mentally ALOT more than Swimmers.
ALOT more.
davey_magik
13 Apr 2006, 17:00
Grimreepah, he would make our side on his batting alone. On song he is the most destructive batsmen in the world and unlike say Symonds he can do it in the Test arena as well.
A bit disappointing considering the tour of England will most likely decide 2nd spot in Test rankings but mark my words, he'll be back.
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 17:01
Cricket tires you out mentally ALOT more than Swimmers.
ALOT more.
LOL, whatever mate.
Power21
13 Apr 2006, 17:02
Grimreepah, he would make our side on his batting alone. On song he is the most destructive batsmen in the world and unlike say Symonds he can do it in the Test arena as well.
A bit disappointing considering the tour of England will most likely decide 2nd spot in Test rankings but mark my words, he'll be back.
I assume by 'our side' you mean Australia. If you do then your utterly wrong. He would struggle to make a couple of the state sides on batting alone.
I assume by 'our side' you mean Australia. If you do then your utterly wrong. He would struggle to make a couple of the state sides on batting alone.
He means Pakistan.
Not everyone goes for Australia.
spell_check
13 Apr 2006, 20:43
It matters more to the sub-continent countries to win a World Cup than be No.1 at Test level.
Nel Mangle
13 Apr 2006, 20:50
damn shame ,I remember when Afridi got caught tampering with the pitch in the 2nd test of the england series.
sneeky bastard.
chunkylover
14 Apr 2006, 00:08
damn shame ,I remember when Afridi got caught tampering with the pitch in the 2nd test of the england series.
sneeky bastard.
one of he more bizarre cricket moments of 05.
seriously the guy has got to be one of the most over rated test players in the world.
awesome one day player though
davey_magik
14 Apr 2006, 11:40
Reading the article again some people are taking it out of context. He says he won't play Tests UNTIL after the World Cup then he will consider it, which is pretty much saying he will play Tests after the WC.
I can understand his reasonings... but he is one of my favourite cricketers.
Anyone who proclaims to his teammates that he is going to smack 6 6's off 1 over then comes out the next day, picks his target bowler, picks the moment and then has a crack at it hitting the 1st 4 balls for 6's and then mi********s the next for 3 (I think).... gets my admiration for having balls to declare it, balls to attempt it, and the skill to almost achieve it.
To me it is like Babe Ruth pointing to the stands saying where he is going to hitting the next pitch.
davey_magik
14 Apr 2006, 16:15
I can understand his reasonings... but he is one of my favourite cricketers.
Anyone who proclaims to his teammates that he is going to smack 6 6's off 1 over then comes out the next day, picks his target bowler, picks the moment and then has a crack at it hitting the 1st 4 balls for 6's and then mi********s the next for 3 (I think).... gets my admiration for having balls to declare it, balls to attempt it, and the skill to almost achieve it.
To me it is like Babe Ruth pointing to the stands saying where he is going to hitting the next pitch.
I heard that :D . Nearly did it too. He probably will do it one day.