Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi makes a run against Australia during the one day international cricket match between Pakistan and Australia in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, April 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Andrew Parsons)
“Boom-Boom” is back! No, I’m not talking about an increase in carnal relations amongst the general populace. Shahid Afridi has announced his un-retirement from One Day International and Twenty20 International cricket.
The former Pakistan captain announced his conditional retirement back in May but, like Mr Burns in ‘The Simpsons’, Afridi has had one of his customary changes of heart.
Don’t be disappointed if you missed it: much like ‘The Simpsons’ these days, I’m not sure many people were paying attention.
Shahid does have a track record regarding retirement. He retired from Test cricket in 2006 only to return as captain for one Test against England at Lord’s in 2010.
Maybe he just liked the thought of playing a Test at a ground that lets you bring your own alcohol? It’s as good a theory as any.
He subsequently re-retired from Test cricket at the end of that match. It is fair to say that Afridi changes his mind more than he changes his underpants.
Having announced his latest un-retirement, ESPN Cricinfo quoted Afridi as saying “I didn’t as such retire. I only said I will not play under the previous board but now people are changed – exactly what I wanted – so I am available for selection for the country.”
So having taken his bat and ball home because he wasn’t getting his own way, albeit due to a board that were about as consistent and moral as Two-Face from Batman, Shahid now returns to the international arena. Hopefully not having eaten the ball he originally took away with him.
The announcement only comes as a surprise to the type of people who still find it surprising when Mitchell Johnson bowls badly. Afridi, a non-spinning leg spinner and slogging right-hand batsman, has the attention span of a goldfish with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and his decision to un-retire is probably mostly because he was bored.
“Boom-Boom” has a reputation as a big-hitting match winner but averages just 23.49 with the bat in ODI’s and 17.97 in Twenty20’s for Pakistan.
That being said, Afridi did lead Pakistan to a Semi-Final appearance in the ODI World Cup this year.
The weaknesses of his batting, the attention span of a gnat and a penchant for the unconventional, have actually helped his bowling. Shahid’s greatest contributions to Pakistan in the shorter formats of the game have come with the ball.
Shaihid has about as much patience as Ian Chappell has tolerance for sloppy fielding and he is consistently hustling in and hurrying the batsman. With subtle variations in pace, bounce and drift Afridi has taken 315 ODI wickets at 34.22 and 53 Twenty20 wickets at 18.96.
It looks unlikely that Afridi will return as captain for the Pakistan ODI and Twenty20 sides.
By the time you have finished reading this piece don’t be surprised if Afridi has had another change of heart.
Annoy Chakraborty
Guest
I couldn't agree with you more. Ever since his first century which was the fastest century in ODI cricket, Afridi has made many comebacks. At times it has been due to the talent PCB saw in him and at times due to his performances. One thing is for sure he is an entertainer and any fan would pay to watch him. His return is definitely a good news for the cricket lovers.
Lolly
Guest
It is damn funny. But as Russ said, even the bloke with all the big talk about match-fixing has said he couldn't do anything with Afridi! I am a great fan of Afridi's bowling. He's got one of the nicest actions in the game so it's good that he's back.
Nafi
Guest
Of course Boom Boom should be back to kick on the ass of the people who blame him.He is the best all rounder in the world........
Lee McDonald
Roar Guru
Or like South African cricket without choking in World Cups.
Lee McDonald
Roar Guru
Hi Russ - I must admit to being a tad glib in my article. I don't deny that there have been some good reasons why Afridi has come and gone from the side over the years (I even mention the previous state of the board as one for his most recent retirement), but the main point was highlighting that the guy has had more comebacks than John Farnham.
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Pakistan cricket without drama is like an ocean without water.
Russ
Guest
I think this is an unfair take on why Afridi has chosen not to play for Pakistan at various times. Like Younis Khan before him, certain members of the team, now involved in a criminal trial, were opposed to him being captain. It is well established by those same people that he is honest in his on-field endeavours, and opposed to their practises. Is it any surprise that he quit the captaincy under those circumstances? Or that he refused to play while the President who denied all and banned those who opposed him (including two out and out greats) or the selectors, and the coach whose record in this area isn't clean were still involved with the team? That he has come back is either a positive sign of progress in Pakistani cricket, or proof that Afridi is a masochist. He could make a lot more money steering clear of the lot of them.