A Unique View About Afridi

The most famous/popular Pakistan Cricketer in the current day and age has a mammoth fan following


A unique view about Afridi. To be honest I would not care less what he does with the bat. He is not a "proper" batsmen. Its hit or miss. It's not something to take seriously. Inconsistency is inevitable. If he comes off great, if he doesn't oh well. I always view him as a bowler and judge his performance and contribution towards the team as a bowler and cult figure who creates this "buzz" in the team. He is a fine spinner with potential and a great human being.

However, as a captain his bowling form has dipped considerably . Also, he needs to bat with responsibility in order to set the standards and set a bold message which is clearly neither his instinct or style. Hence, I am not overly in favour of him as a captain, with the exception of perhaps T20 if anything.

He may have firmness, respect and experience if that even matters for such an extravagantly aggressive approach, but as a captain we have overestimated his mindset and individual contribution. As ever he has a chance of winning the WC for Pakistan under his captaincy, but there is even a higher, easier and better chance under different, more composed and tactically stronger candidates i.e. YK and even Malik I dear say.

He needs to realise the importance and value of his bowling. He needs to use himself as an attacking option and have a real "game plan" when he is bowling rather than just trying and hoping for the best. I am backing him to fire, with the ball rather then being a conservative/defensive operator who claims average figures match after match. He is a much better bowler then that.

Pak-Ind vs Eng/Aus

Personally I have an equal affiliation with both rivalries being a British Pakistani and therefore will clearly be fair and unbiased in analysis:

Why Ashes is bigger and better

1) More organised and systematic. Happens every 4 years in both locations. Everyone can understand where and when it will happen. Is planned more specifically and purposefully and therefore is much stronger administratively.

2) Historical context stretches for longer as the first series commenced in 1882. Plenty of history and tradition and it epitomised the popularity of cricket in they early days. Perhaps cricket would not stand where is does nowadays had this not been in place. This adds all to the meaningfulness and fascination for such a global spectacle.

3) Better conditions and pitches which are most conductive or conducive for the 5 day game which inevitably makes it undoubtedly more lively and interesting to watch or play in for that matter.

4) Anticipation and build up is second to none. For these two sides every thing with planning and feats are built towards this more or less. Whether this is healthy or not is certainly an argumentative or debatable like issue, however it all adds towards the fun in the overall equation when making contrasts.

5) Crowd and popularity/attendance for Tests is appladuable. It is considerably higher. Both countries on the whole show tremendous appreciation and acknowledgement towards the 5 day game which other countries supporters could take a leaf out of.

It would be reasonable to say that on the Test front Ashes is clearly the bigger and better affair. However, don't get me wrong, Pak-Ind rivalries are of also of high and well anticipated significance and a special encounter when ever and where the two sides clash in what ever format. On the ODI front, they are the biggest ecnounter in cricket which is followed with admirable intensity combined with a heart of passion, however the Ashes clearly remains the daddy when it comes to Tests.

In conclusion, both are needed to promote the interest, liveliness, beauty, enjoyment, history, patriotism and uniqueness of the beloved sport in this day and age. Both have done it previously, but as cricket fanatics we can only hope this great legacy continues for generations to come.

A Long Term Vision

Cricket is seen as a form of national pride and identification but yet our national team's record, renowned image and ranking is staggeringly disappointing for a country which possesses excessive amounts of natural talent and has unarguably the biggest and most passionate cricketing followers on Earth. Additionally, unlike other nations it's our national sport and one of our only sports and therefore something we should be ahead in when contrasting with the likes of SA, NZ, England and co. Yet, we are on par or behind. Setting high standards and overcoming our negative unpredictability tag is the way forward towards globalised recognition for our cricket socially and significantly as a representation of our capabilities and love/interests, especially in the modern age where negativity is the only word and news we hear in Western civilizations as a matter of regularity as much as fact.

Why we should and how we could be better then what we are currently:

1) Education right from grass root-level for all players so they are aware of the values and principles of life. How to conduct themselves, the importance of behaving sensibly and appropriately and how to refrain from corrupt and negative roots.

2) Improved infra-structure where there are less first class sides, better pay and more recognition and higher standards for first class cricket. Better cricketing wickets and systematic planning of tournaments will help get the best from the best players and prepare the players mentally and physically for the real challenge of international cricket when they flourish through the ranks.

3) Professionalism and constructive productivity in management and hierarchy who use the bounty of wisdom and experience to make planned decisions accordingly and with purpose and thought.

4) Innovation, commercialisation and entrepreneurship attributes from experienced visionaries.

If this is all in place surely and inevitably we will thrive and the results will begin to show and shine. We should be the best team in the world. We could be the best team in the world. The personal drive is there as is the talent/credentials. But we lack hard work, vision, guidance & tactical understanding to succeed. This will not happen overnight. A long term plan needs to be in place and maybe just one day we will see our cricket triumph and delight the public like there is no tomorrow before we know it.

Our over reliance on pure talent is neither wise nor systematic. We need to groove players with important assets like mental toughness, technical and tactical intelligence, desire+ determination, application, hard-work, responsibility on and off the field and the importance of their role in society.

Hence, we struggle and are behind in Test Cricket and are always seen in controversies. This is the huge thing Pakistan Cricket lacks. It’s something which won’t change overnight either.

The Solution is an educational system for cricketers where they can learn about the important values as well develop their credentials. This is a long term vision. Surely we shall triumph and the results will show when this is in place?

What Matters Most to us... Feel Free to Share Yours

In terms of T20 comps.....: Mine are



1) ICC T20 WC

2) CL T20 (If Pakistan representative included)

3) IPL (if Pakistani players included)

4) County Cricket T20 Comp

5) RBS T20

6) KCL



In terms of big series:



1) ICC tournament

2) Ashes

3) Pakistan-India

For Babar Naveed

In terms of T20 comps:

1) RBS T20

2) ICC T20

3) IPL (Pakistanis included)

4) KCL

5) English County T20

6) CL T20 (Pakistanis included)


In terms of big series:


1) Pakistan-India

2) ICC tournaments

3) Ashes