The Afridi Consistency

[tahaqureshi]

is it just me..or has shahid afridi actually started showing some signs of consistency...


shahid afridi has played very well in this series...making a few fifties..

a 17 and today a 30..

all very useful contributions considering the fact that he is a lower order cameo batsman...

exactly! He is much too good to be a lower order cameo batsman!

[Mercenary]

Bob has been using clairvoyants to help Afridi see the shadowy singles that he only thought were ghosts before!

Afridi never believed in singles, he thought only crazy people could see them but he's now seeing them more regularly himself too :-D

lol Merc, I dont think he is being used correctly now either BUT he has a defined role in the team!

[Hash]

this is clearly his best position. He has consistently failed (with the odd blip) when he has been up the order. Now he is down the order and has consistently done well. Keep him at 8....unless it is a reduced overs game.

The way I see it is that his job is to bowl 7-10 overs, keep the runs down, pick up a wicket or two (break a partnership) and when he bats chip in with a quick fire 25 plus. That is how he would best serve Pakistan cricket and he has been doing that very well recently.

Yes well if thats his role he shouldnt be in the team. He is the best striker of a cricket ball in the world, he should bat at 5/6 and be a little more sensible.

[Hash]

amit- he shouldn't be in the test team I agree.

In ODI cricket he comes in when we have lost 6 wickets....could be with around 10 overs to go. That is when we need a quick fire 25plus. A player like Afridi is perfect for that situation.

Afridi should not come in at 5 or 6. The 'middle overs' need someone who can stick around, keep picking off the singles, rotating the strike etc....that is not Afridi's job, never has been and never should be. His job is to make an impact......the end overs are the best time for that for quick fire runs. Let Afridi do what he is best at.

Yes but the earlier he is in the more time he has to do the damage. I think that your top6 are there to do the job and that by and large its them who should get the runs as the bowlers should take the wickets. One criticism of SA was that Zulu who is the greatest late order hitter often came in too low.

[Hash]

amit- you really do not understand Afridi quite clearly.

Afridi does not need 'more time'. To bat during the middle overs you need a level headed batsman who can keep his cool, not play rash shots etc. That is NOT Afridi. No offence but I think you are talking a load of rubbish.

Number 8 for Afridi to come in for the end overs. That is where he best serves the team.

[dan hudson]

I agree with Hash.

Afridi should keep doing the role he is doing at the moment for Pak in ODIs.

I understand this much, he isnt good enough to hold his place as either a bat or bowler. So I wouldnt pick him. But I am not about to dismiss ur views as rubbish. Afridi is great on his day but his day is not often enough for my liking.

[Hash]

his day has been pretty much every day so far in this series!

[dan hudson]

Gary: At the moment he is good enough to be picked as a bowler who bats. Look at his stats since his recall to the team.

[KB]

He is at his best when he hits straight. I don't like it when he begins to slog across the line, or tries to get too cute or tries to shuffle around a lot.

Much better off keeping it simple.

[sy]

yeh true no need 4 improvisation as Holding said

Dan look at his career. You all queue up to have a go at me. The value of a specialist spinner is there for all to see, the stats prove it quite clearly. Seems like Pakistan forget the time they won the WC, they had 1 genuine all rounder, batsmen at the top of the order, a specialist spinner and wicket taking bowlers and they played as a team!

[tahaqureshi]

if i had afridi's talent and power..

i would make 40 ball 80's almost everey match

because all u have to do is put enough strength on every shot and it doesn't matter where in the hell the fielders are...

afridi can become the world's best batsman..just needs some sense knocked into him

[dan hudson]

I'd take Afridi over Kaneria in ODIs at the moment.

dont know about the worlds best but you are right in what ur saying. He could be a lot better than this.

[Mercenary]

Dan would u rather have Afridi in the form with the ball he is in now or Giles?

[tahaqureshi]

amit..were u referring to me?

btw..is ur name actually gary?

I would rather have a world class spinner in my team. If you have a world class bowler of ANY style who can consistently dismiss the best players in the world he has to be in your odi team. Remember the same was said about Abdul Qadir who was a much more attacking bowler. Afridi could be a 2nd spinner maybe though when Saqi gets back to his best he wont even get that!

[Jedi Knight]

One step at a time!!!

Afridi needs to get used to this and in a few years time we can maybe move him to 6...\

But for the forseeable future he should stick at 8...

i was Tahai. u related to Nomanbhai?

[tahaqureshi]

no no...im not related to anyone on PP

im just an individual :oD

but i would definitely like to get more comfortable with all the members of PP

i think i should've introduced myself on PP when i first came..like some here have

[pakistani pride]

Well now finally he knows his role in the team gary !
Stop talking about moving him no need for that !

[dan hudson]

Merc: Very interesting question. Giles bowled well today so I will reserve judgement.

Afridi and Giles are about same in bowling so has to be the Afridi.

[Saj]

that sixer he hit off Symonds was awesome. Just seemed to take off. One of the commentators mentioned it was one of the biggest sixes he had seen at Perth.

Tom Moody said on post game analysis.

[Saqlain_doosra]

The six was a six as fan you dream of seeing and Afridi fulfilled mine. Ive been triying to hit one of them from length bowl. Only if I had his power and and Saeed Anwars timing

[mZj]

showed the signs in 2005....maybe now in 2010?

[insaaniyat]

Nothing has changed. Same consistency, fail 20 times continuously and then make few runs in one inning.

[Inswinger]

The thread title is a great oxymoron.

[mZj]

Originally Posted by insaaniyat Nothing has changed. Same consistency, fail 20 times continuously and then make few runs in one inning.

lol atleast hes consistent in failing then

[cricket_fever]

his unpredictability makes him an exciting player

[d0gers]

Originally Posted by cricket_fever his unpredictability makes him an exciting player

His inconsistency makes him a bad batsman.

He's a good cricketer but his batting can't be relied upon. If it works it works but we always need to have a Plan B with him batting.

[cricket_fever]

Originally Posted by d0gers His inconsistency makes him a bad batsman. He's a good cricketer but his batting can't be relied upon. If it works it works but we always need to have a Plan B with him batting.

well even if his batting fails his superb spinning makes up

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by d0gers His inconsistency makes him a bad batsman. He's a good cricketer but his batting can't be relied upon. If it works it works but we always need to have a Plan B with him batting.

aq ?