The Shahid Afridi dilemma

As the selectors are in the process of whittling down the World Cup team from 30 probables, the only chance Shahid Afridi had, was his selection for the ODI's against South Africa. Otherwise it would be too late and not enough match practice for him. And based on his horrendous performance in 2006, that could never have happened.

But lo and behold, he's back, and the selectors have made it pretty clear that he has been chosen primarily because of the pre-2006 years. It's a strange reason and poor selection on their part. Why on earth can't Pakistan just move on and live life without him? It doesn't make sense to me. Before the squad was announced, Wasim Bari, the chief selector said...

"It is a difficult decision, but I must say that if Afridi is recalled to the (one-day) squad it would be on the basis of his past performance," chief selector Wasim Bari told The News'.

And after the selection, Bari defended his decision but added that the pressure was well and truly on Afridi.

“Afridi has the talent and the experience and now has to perform. The onus is on him and he has to help himself now,” he said.

So, unfortunately, Afridi is back. Sadly, there is no doubt that Pakistan allowed him an extended run last year, gave him plenty of chances to get back into form, and to try and make a difference. When must this cycle end? This blogger had been calling for Afridi's exclusion from the ODI squad last year based on an average of 7.67 after 15 innings in 2006.

But has his form improved? That's the brighter side...

-In domestic cricket, Afridi hasn't done too badly, so maybe the break from international cricket has helped. In 5 first-class domestic games (9 innings), he scored 253 runs, at an average of 28 with a high score of a 100. He fared a lot better in the bowling department, getting 22 wickets at an average of 9.36.
-In 4 twenty20 games (only 2 innings though) he scored 52 runs, at an average of 26 with a high score of a 49. Again, he bowled well getting 22 wickets at an average of 9.87.

His domestic form is fine, and its a healthy allrounders average in both bowling and batting. However when he comes to ODI's in recent times, he's lost at sea. In the middle of December, he was recalled to face the West Indies, going opening and scoring a solitary run before getting bowled.

I feel Afridi may not be cut out for the international stage any longer. Firstly, I've never really liked his style of batting. It's too much drama, and too hit and miss for my taste. His unpredictability is actually quite predictable and international bowlers aren't scared of him anymore and know exactly how to get him out. He's pretty much become just a walking wicket waiting to be taken.

I'd much rather have reliability in that position, because we're potentially losing runs there. I agree that he is a match winner, but those innings are too few and far between. Is he really such a useful spinning allrounder? Wouldn't we rather have a specialist batsmen in his place, or perhaps a specialist spinner? Of course he chips in with 1 or 2 constantly, but so does Razzak. In fact Hafeez is a pretty decent spinner too. Why not have a better bowler, one who can take 5 wicket hauls, or a batsmen who can score 30's or 40's? His bowling on its own does not warrant selection and coupled with his batting, it makes him a weaker candidate. If he does score a quick 30 in the World Cup, do we honestly believe that he can sustain that form in every match? Or even a quarter of the games? Because that's why we're choosing him aren't we? His quickfire 30 in 10 balls...which, honestly, is quite unlikely to happen. For a player, revered by Pakistanis for being such a gambler, the odds of success in this South African series are squarely against him.

My argument is simple. We will most likely play Razzak, Shoaib Malik and Hafeez or atleast two of them in the World Cup along with 3 specialist bowlers. (3 from Asif, Shoaib, Rana, Gul, Rehman). Thus we have the ability to bowl those 50 overs easily amongst these guys. Instead of adding another allrounder to the squad, we'd be much better off playing an extra batsmen. Waseem Bari and Afridi's fans believe its his past that provides more than enough reason to play him in the World Cup. But I think its his past which is what's against him this time around. A player should be selected only if he's in good form. The past is not an satisfactory basis for his selection? As a result my Afridi supporting days are long over and done with.

Team Physio: Shoaib Akhtar's injury exagerated

Thanks to the reference of fellow blogger, Dawn is reporting that Shoaib's injury was not that serious, and it was probably his indiscipline that got him sent back, as many suspected....

Pakistan cricket team physio, Grant Compton on Saturday said the hamstring injury to fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is not of serious nature and is, in fact, quite manageable at this stage.

"The hamstring is of 'A' grade nature which is not serious," Compton, who started the rehabilitation of the Rwalpindi-born pacer at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) on Saturday, told reporters.

He added that he has examined the hamstring and has decided to ask Shoaib to start light exercises right away.

Shoaib himself, though, was reluctant to speak to the press but took four laps of the sprawling Gaddafi Stadium before stepping into the NCA gym for some light exercises for about 25 minutes.

It was quite obvious from the way Shoaib undertook his running and exercises on Saturday that it was more the act of indiscipline – his tiff with coach Bob Woolmer in the second Test - than his fitness that prompted the team management to send him back.

Shoaib, however, dismissing any such rumours said he was now fit and his main target was the World Cup which is scheduled to be held in the West Indies in March-April. The controversial fast bowler appeared fairly anxious about the reports filtering in from South Africa about his behaviour and dispelled the impression that his injury in the second Test was not a genuine thing.

Asked if he would play the final of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Silver League for Islamabad, Shoaib said he would definitely consider the option.

Ludicrous call for Pakistan's expulsion from World Cup

Amongst other complaints, respected columnist Ian Wooldridge in the Daily Mail calls for Pakistan's removal from the World Cup in light of the controversial drug appeals for Shoaib and Asif.

Cricket's World Cup opens next month in the West Indies. I may just be alone in anticipating its start with a violent political explosion — a demand for the expulsion of Pakistan.

If you recall, two of Pakistan's most volatile fast bowlers were found guilty of drug abuse in October. Shoaib Akhtar was banned for two years, Mohammad Asif for one.

Both appealed. Their appeals were heard by Pakistan's Cricket Board without external influence. Both were exonerated. Both were immediately chosen to play again. Don't tell me this is going to pass unnoticed.

Well, this is never going to happen, but Mr. Wooldrige's frustration does not go unnoticed by this blogger. We understand that the cricket world is unhappy and frustrated with the lack of transparency which followed the PCB's drug scandal. We feel you....and we have written countless posts slamming the PCB's handling of the situation.

However, one must realize that the process is not in Pakistan's hands anymore. And furthermore, this matter is certainly not closed as Mr. Wooldridge accurately notes. The appeal is being reviewed by WADA and they have the authority to recommend the banning of players to the ICC. Additionally, the Pakistani players will be retested later next months, according to the PCB.

If anything, the players should be banned, not the whole bloody country.