Shahid Afridi: Pakistan Cricket's only superstar

There are certain names that fill stadiums, grab all the headlines and have fans and neutrals alike the world over, who stop what they’re doing and switch on their televisions. Those names belong to players, who have worked their way, to superstar status. In the past people would rush to catch a glimpse of Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Vivian Richards, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, even if they were on the opposing team. Fans of the game remember them even to this very day. In the modern game there are plenty of superstars as well. The explosive rebel, Chris Gayle, the Australian pair of, Brett Lee, and, Shane Watson, Hashim Amla, and, Dale Steyn of South Africa, half the Indian team from Yuvraj Singh to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar to Virender Sehwag. Yet Pakistan, once renowned for having an abundance of superstars, seems to have fallen behind. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Shoaib Akhtar, Saqlain Mushtaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq – the list of past superstars goes on and on, but how many can one name in the present Pakistan squad? Would people go or even bother changing the channel to watch Mohammad Hafeez? Or maybe watch Asad Shafiq? Even the more well known names fail to raise excitement levels. Saeed Ajmal, who although is a consistent wicket taker, does not carry with him the flair and flamboyance that can pull the masses in, and one can only groan in agony anytime the painfully slow, Misbah-ul-Haq, makes his way to the crease. Yes, there is Pakistan’s wicket keeper, Kamran Akmal, though the player is famous for the wrong reasons. Dropped catches and missed chances do not bring the type of attention one wishes. Contrast that with West Indies batsman, Chris Gayle, and his recent demolition of opposition bowlers in the Indian Premier League. Whether one was a fan or not, the cricketing world would stop and proceed to watch the batsman. Why? Because he was exciting, because he was special and most importantly because he gave the fans what they wanted to see. Long gone are the days Shoaib Akhtar would storm in to bowl deliveries that flew at the batsmen at over 140 kilometres per hour, or when Wasim Akram would create unreal swing. The only name that still gets fans interested in Pakistan cricket is their talismanic One Day International captain, Shahid Khan Afridi. His exploits in the recently concluded ICC World Cup was the pinnacle in his, how to put this, exhilarating professional career. Scoring the fastest century in cricketing history on his debut, Afridi never compromised on his attacking batting, be it for better or for worse. It made him a household name not only in Pakistan but anywhere the game of cricket was played. Afridi’s aggression, ability to turn games on its head earlier with the bat and more recently with the ball, have not only propelled him to international stardom but also has fans pause just for a second to check if Afridi is on the crease or not. In Pakistan, when Afridi gets dismissed so does 25% of the crowd. It is not all doom and gloom though, as the Cornered Tigers are producing two more potential superstars, Wahab Riaz, and, Umar Akmal. Akmal unlike his brother is an exciting prospect, while the verdict on Wahab is still out after limited performances for the side. Yet if anyone was asked to make a fantasy team consisting of the best players in the world, one can safely say that Shahid Afridi would be the only Pakistan player on the roster and that is why he is Pakistan’s only superstar.

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KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS V KINGS XI PUNJAB- MATCH PREVIEW: BOTH TEAMS LOOKING FOR ADVANTAGE

Kolkata Knight Riders will take on Kings XI Punjab in an important fixture of the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at Eden Gardens Kolkata.

This is an extremely crucial encounter for both franchises as the Kings XI is at number seven in the points table, whereas the Knight Riders have done reasonably well in the tournament so far and they would like to beat the Kings XI in order to strengthen their position.

Shahrukh Khan’s men have eight points after seven games so far, whereas the Kings XI have six points from five games. There is not much to choose between the two teams but their match could prove to be vital for the future of these two teams in the tournament.

Kolkata failed to make an impression in the previous three editions of the IPL but change of personnel in management and the players have brought good luck for them and they are doing well in the current season under the captaincy of Gautam Gambhir.

Kolkata seem to have a very nice balance with both bat and ball, as Brett Lee, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Jaidev Unadkat, Jacques Kallis, Yusuf Pathan and the young left arm spinner Iqbal Abdullah have gelled well, as a bowling unit.

Kallis and Manoj Tiwary have been the pick of the batsmen for the Knight Riders and their management would be hoping that Gambhir and Pathan can showcase their abilities better during the crunch part of the tournament.

Paul Valthaty has so far been the best batsman for the Kings XI and the management of Punjab would be looking at, Adam Gilchrist, and, Shaun Marsh, once again to give them a substantial start and be more consistent at the later stages of the tournament.

The Kings XI have lost many of their key players this season, as the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Bret Lee, Mahela Jayawardene, and, Kumar Sangakkara, have been bought by other franchises.

However, their absence does not seem to have hurt the Kings XI that much, as they have not done that badly in the tournament so far and a win against the Knight Riders could put them in the top four of the points table.

Kings XI have done well in the previous three seasons and there is no reason why they should be disheartened about their chances in the current season. Still there is a lot of cricket to be played in the ongoing season and they can turn the tables by raising their game at the right time. There have been countless instances in the past when teams came from behind and won the tournament.

Although, Kolkata has done better in this season till date and they will start as clear favourites, both teams are evenly matched on paper and the team that will play good cricket on the day will come out victorious. Let’s hope that we as cricket fans are delighted with some magnificent cricket on the weekend

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