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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STEPHEN FLEMING SAYS BATTING WILL BE CHENNAI SUPER KINGS’ STRENGTH AGAINST DECCAN CHARGERS

The Chennai Super Kings coach, Stephen Fleming said on Saturday that batting would be his side’s strength when they play Deccan Chargers at home on Sunday, May 1.

The Deccan Chargers have one of the best bowling attacks in the Indian Premiere League (IPL), including spearhead pacers from India and South Africa. However, Fleming was confident that the Dhoni-led Chennai side has the required firepower to counter the Indo-South African pace attack.

“Our top order is one of the biggest around and with Badrinath being in form. We've some wonderful Indian players along with Michael Hussey, so we're well-equipped to deal with any attack,” said the former New Zealand skipper while talking to the reporters at the pre-match media conference.

Naming the star performers of his side, Fleming said MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina and Albie Morkel are some of the biggest hitters in international cricket and the Kiwi thinks that the talent his team have got in their top six can outshine the top order of any other side.

The Deccan attack, which includes the likes of world’s number one bowler, Dale Steyn, and Ishant Sharma, played havoc against Kochi Tuskers Kerala on Wednesday, April 27, crushing them by 55 runs. Ishant Sharma was the star performer in Wednesday’s match, returning with stunning bowling figures of 5 for 12. Sharma was followed by Steyn who picked up three wickets.

Fleming said Chennai Super Kings’ defeat to Mumbai Indians last Friday, helped the team bring out a change in their attitude.

“The pleasing shift for me was the game against Mumbai,” said the New Zealander. “We got shown the standards of fielding in this competition and it was almost a challenge. The next two games we were outstanding. Once you set yourself a benchmark for yourself, it's very good.”

Earlier, the Vice Captain of Deccan Chargers, Cameron White said that his side had the required potential to upset Chennai. The Aussie all-rounder, however, did agree that the Super Kings would be a formidable side to defeat at home.

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Ishant Sharma says Zaheer Khan helped him regain form

The gangly India pacer, Ishant Sharma has credited senior fast bowler, Zaheer Khan, for the development in his bowling line and length.

Defending a meager 20-overs total of 129 runs at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi, the 22-year old Delhi bowler, returned with stunning match figures of 5 for 12 to lead Deccan Chargers to an emphatic 55-run victory over Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

“I need to say thanks to Zaheer Khan because he told me to keep working hard on my fitness. Working with him is really tremendous for me", said Ishant while talking to the media reporters after the match.

It was Ishant’s first ever five-wicket haul in the T20 format of the game. He was awarded with the man of the match award for his startling spell. Five of the top six Kochi batsmen were removed by the six feet five inches tall Delhi pacer.

When asked what inspired him to make such an outstanding come back, the right arm medium pacer said, "It's not about inspiration. When we were sitting in the dressing room, we thought 130 is a good total. When RP's first ball hit the gloves (of Sunny Sohal), we thought we won't mind bowling first on this track".

The triumphant Deccan captain, Kumar Sangakkara, of Sri Lanka, expressed satisfaction over the total posted by his batsmen and said that they were confident of defending that run-a-ball run rate. He praised the new-ball duo of Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma for containing the opposition batsmen right from the start of their innings, as Kochi were reeling at 11 for six inside four overs.

The Deccan skipper also hailed team coach, Darren Lehmann, for helping the players develop confidence in themselves.

"He (Lehmann) has a lot of common sense when it comes to cricket, nothing flash, just go out there and hit your lengths. We need to keep playing good cricket", said Sangakkara.

The skipper of Kochi, Mahela Jayawardene said that they were well aware and of Deccan’s bowling strength. He singled out Dale Steyn and Ishant Sharma for praise for their remarkable spells.

Jayawardene was also unhappy about the way the pitch behaved last night and said that the wicket had a bit more movement than they were expecting.

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Kallis excited to face Steyn

Jacques Kallis is looking forward to coming up against his countryman Dale Steyn when the Kolkata Knight Riders face the Deccan Chargers on Monday.
Normally lining up aside one another for the Proteas rather than on opposite teams, Kallis admits that facing a "fantastic" bowler like Steyn is always a challenge.
"It would be exciting. Not very often do I get the opportunity to play against Dale Steyn," said the South African.
Having lost out to the Chennai Super Kings on the last ball of their encounter on Friday night, Kallis admitted there were a number of areas in which they could improve heading into the clash with Deccan.
"We can learn a few things from the last game. I think our fielding let us down. It was one of those games that unfortunately got away from us. We lost it rather than Chennai winning it," explained the all-rounder.
"Everybody will take a little time to settle down. It's start of the new IPL. Everybody is getting to know each other. We have some talented youngsters as well."
"Perhaps we think we fell short by a couple of runs because of the inexperience. Hopefully, we have a successful season ahead of us. Deccan Chargers are a good side. Every side is a dangerous side in Twenty20 cricket. You cannot take anyone for granted in T20," he added.

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