Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Asia Cup 2008: Lawson wants Afridi!

“Geoff spoke highly of Afridi and told us that the team will need his experience against India”

- chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told ‘The News’.

This piece in The News is painting a picture that says that the selectors had decided to drop Shahid Afridi for the match against India today but have included him in the XI on Lawson and Malik's insistence.

It was only 3 months ago that Lawson wanted Afridi out of the team. And the tension between Afridi and Malik is well documented on Well Pitched and other places.

In view of this, I believe that the quote above and the article in The News, is only propaganda to safeguard the selectors' backsides.

I have no doubts whatsoever that Afridi should be in the team as a bowler. There is no replacement for him.

However, many in Pakistan - media and fans, players and administrators - have run out of patience with him.

Thus, in order to avoid the wrath of the world, the selectors are sending out messages that Afridi is playing because Lawson and Malik want him to.

Why are you misguiding the public Mr. Sallu?

We all know that you are the Afridi supporter.

We all know that in the past you have convinced Lawson and Malik on more than once occassion on Afridi's inclusion in the XI.

So what made the tables turn Mr. Sallu?

Is that Leash tightening around your neck?

Make your pitch on this post...



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8 Pitched:

  1. Gaurav Sethi said...
     

    Q- In yesterday's Hindustan Times Imran Khan echoes yr sentiments re: afridi

  2. Q said...
     

    Can u give me a link to that article NC.

  3. Unknown said...
      This comment has been removed by the author.
  4. Anonymous said...
     

    13 runs in 3 matches and 3 wickets in 4 matches @ an ave of 67 and econ rate of 5.28 but still Sallu showed his confidence in him, who cares if he fires after 20 matches
    and scores a few runs in this match, the guy has been out of form begging himself to be dropped
    but the selectors still select Afridi.
    Either they are hell bent on finishing his career or they are overly optimistic about a miraculous innings from Afridi,A player when he is out of form should be rested so that he can gain his form and fitness back.

  5. Gaurav Sethi said...
     

    in fact Imran's column was in 2nd July's edition - check out hindustantimes.com
    couldn't locate it y'day though.

  6. Q said...
     

    I searched for it NC but couldn't find it.

    What did Imran Khan say? did he talk abt Afridi the bowler?

  7. Gaurav Sethi said...
     

    Q, Imran's take: Afridi should be picked as a bowler and fielder, and not as a batsman.
    Doubt this will be the last time either you or Imran will say this.

    Btw enjoyed Imran’s repeated rant's, as also some other cricketers’; here's a piece on that titled Stuck records in cricket.

    http://nakedcricket.sulekha.com/blog/post/2006/11/stuck-records-in-cricket-.htm

  8. Q said...
     

    You're right NC u will continue to hear that from me atleast as long as the team management and the PCB don't realise that Afridi is a bowler and there is no replacement for Afridi the bowler.

    I'll say it again today when he has been replaced by Malik the captain.

    Dont know if u've read this but for some perspective on Afridi:

    http://www.wellpitched.com/2007/11/shahid-afridi-pakistans-mvp.html

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