ICC World Cup 2011 - Shahid Afridi the bowler

During the four-nation tournament in Kenya in 1996 Pakistan summoned a 16-year old youngster to replace the injured legspinner Mushtaq Ahmed. In the all important match against the then world champions Sri Lanka, the 16-year old prodigy was sent into bat at number three to accelerate Pakistan’s run rate.

The 16-year old’s response was jaw-dropping. Within a few hours, he struck an astonishing 100 off 37 balls by mesmerizing the Sri Lankan attack in a vintage fashion. The world was left stunned and Pakistan cricket discovered another crazy talent named Shahid Afridi.

This swashbuckling knock against Sri Lanka transformed legspinner Afridi into a power-hitting sensational batsman, for whom bowling became a part-time job.

But as the time progressed Afridi’s batting form slumped but his bowling started to get better and better. In recent times, since being made the Pakistan captain, Afridi’s bowling has been highly effective and the batsman Afridi now a bowler Afridi.

Afridi mixes his deliveries quite smartly. Other than the traditional legspinners, he has that slider, flipper and fatser one which darts like a medium-pacer’s deliveries and such weapons have been reaping a rich harvest for the Pakistani team. Moreover, in recent times, Afridi’s googlies have improved as well.

Afridi just don’t roll over his arms to complete the fifth or sixth bowler’s quota but he bowls to fetch wickets. This is very important. Surely, the Pakistani cricket fans would not love Afridi to lose his new-found bowling prowess to fade away like his batting. Let the bowler Afridi dazzle more and gift his fans enough joy.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar