Should Shahid Afridi be part of Pakistan’s 2015 World Cup team?

On any other page, this post will not be read. It will be a very unpopular post. But on this page, there might be more agreement I expect. Sensitive topic. 

Should Shahid Afridi be part of Pakistan’s 2015 World Cup team? Here is why not. This is not what will happen, but what should happen. 

Not a knee jerk reaction. After 2012 World T20, I felt that was the time, to call time on his career. He performed atrociously; his long term conduct was an issue hanging over his selection and with an eye on England’s Champions Trophy in 2013 and Australia/New Zealand 2015, the team composition looked stronger without him in such conditions with a superior batsman in the top 7 in conditions where the top order was going to be exposed, requiring more depth in batting.

Instead, it’s been a cycle of him coming back into the team after being dropped twice for the India series in early 2013 and the Champions Trophy that summer, despite no performance of note in domestic cricket to earn a recall. Not to mention, the drama of his conditional retirement in the summer of 2011 after being removed and replaced from captaincy on disciplinary grounds. He was unwilling to play under Misbah initially.

Can you afford 3 spinners in Australia and New Zealand? Not the usual thing to do.

Ajmal is a strike bowlers, obviously gets in. Hafeez is a number 1 ranked ODI all rounder recently, must pick. Where does that leave Afridi?

Selecting both Hafeez and Afridi in the top 7 is badly upsetting the team balance which was exposed in the 4-1 series defeat to South Africa. Both are liabilities with the bat, more so Afridi of course, because of his reckless style. Can you afford 2 weak links in the top 7 in an already vulnerable batting line up, especially in those conditions? Hafeez struggles against top class bowling sides when it’s moving around. That’s already one liability you are accommodating and have to accommodate. Can you afford another one?

Afridi always disappoints with the bat in World Cups. He has never scored a World Cup half century. Never fired on the big stage of 50 over cricket. His World Cup average is 12 from four tournaments. In Champions Trophy, it's 15 from five tournaments so not fired on the 2nd biggest either.

He has performed recently with the bat after a long string of failures, but that’s in Asian conditions on short boundaries where he has destroyed some spinners. Won't be as easy in Australia.

His fitness is a concern as seen in Asia Cup. His bowling has lost its venom. He has already played four World Cups. This one is one too far if he gets selected.

Also, Afridi's bowling needs scoreboard pressure to be effective. He need batsmen to be chasing 5 an over+. He is not the type who can get wickets when batsmen can play the waiting game. That's why he has not got many wickets in test cricket. With Pakistan's batting being a 160-240 type, you need a more attacking bowling option. Hafeez is already a containing option.

And with Waqar likely to return as head coach, he will obviously feel more comfortable without Afridi’s presence after the events of 2011. They didn't get on.

21st April 2011

Junaid Khan made his debut
First WI v Pak T20 game
Afridi's last T20 as skipper
4th series loss in a row in the format
First game after 2011 World Cup

Ducks in Finals

Afridi was player of the tournament in the 2007 tournament - duck in the final

Dilshan was player of the tournament in the 2009 tournament - duck in the final

Dilshan also got a duck in the 2012 final

Stand Up For The Champions

I was proud to have the opportunity to witness it. The climate was scorching, the venue was first class, the line ups were an idealist script for this unique occasion especially when taking into consideration all the troublesome times the county has faced, the teams arrival in the final had brought back a spark of patriotism and unity.

Anyhow let’s progress to the match and moments of the day itself. The atmosphere was electrifying. The crowd was largely populated by energetic Pakistani supporters, here with a determined desire of getting across the line and repeating that magical day in 1992. “ Afridi Afridi” they chanted away and oh boy he didn’t fail to live up to the expectations as Pakistan clinched glory to the pleasure of the entire nation. This is a cause of celebration and acknowledgement. The reaction back home has been fulfilled with happiness. Certainly this is a moment one shall cherish for a long time to come.

A few reasons why we emerged as champions !

Captaincy determination – He looked so strict in the field towards the latter half of the competition. This showed desire and fighting spirit. We could see that this was a pumped up unit.

Effective combinations – We found the winning formula in the New Zealand match such as when to turn to Gul and when to utilise Afridi in the batting line up. We were able to maintain this winning strategy from that game onwards.

Spinners – Enable to apply or restrict a “squeeze” on the opposition with their guile in the middle period. They consistently performed, claiming a handful of wickets and bowling economically

Akmal’s cameo - Set the tone and momentum for further consolidation. Utilised the fielding restrictions and played freely. Really put the opposition on the back foot frequently.

A good blend of experience and youth - Builds a good team morale.