The hoax called Boom-Boom

The controversial Afridi

Afiridi seen biting the ball during the final overs

Boom-Boom’s relationships with controversies haven’t been camera shy either. On November 21, 2005, during a test match in Faisalabad against England, he was caught blatantly and purposefully scuffing up the pitch in an attempt to help his side’s bowlers. A three-match ban and a warning ensued henceforth.

Moreover, on November 21st, 2007 he was handed a two-match ban for striking a spectator in Durban after being dismissed in the ODI. His ban invariably meant he had to miss two crucial games for Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup, which eventually ended up being a forgetful World Cup for Pakistan as they bowed out from the group stages.

In one bizarre incident on 31st January 2010, he was seen biting into the ball in full view of the cameras in the closing stages of the Final ODI during a forgetful tour of Australia. Subsequently, as a penalty, he was handed a six-month-long probation along with a fine of 3 million rupees.

Barring his on-field behaviour, his off-field behaviour in the recent days has been nothing but that of a politician. Lala dived into controversy after his team’s defeat against India in the 2011 World Cup by saying that Indians will never have hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis. Probably the biggest controversy that he started was when he stated that he had seen Sachin trembling while facing Shoaib Akhtar.

Afridi’s legacy a hoax?

After a career spanning through 398 ODI’s , 27 tests and 100-odd T20I’s, Shahid Afridi and his staunch fan following must be relishing in the legacy that he has left behind in all formats of the game. But to everyone’s disappointment, his legacy is nothing but a hoax. A mirage shrouded in the adoration and love that he has received from the PCB and his fans.

Firstly, Afridi was never a great leader. His record as a captain is a mixed one as well. In recent times, in crucial games against India and New Zealand in the ongoing T20 World Cup, Afridi batted up the order, imitating an invitee in a marriage function who arrives before the food is ready and bowled late in the match imitating an invitee who lingers after everyone leaves the marriage function.

Secondly, he always seems to be at the forefront of team politics. Be it the recent rumours that his team has conspired against him or his differences with Umar Akmal wherein he only used to communicate to Umar Akmal through Imran Khan.

Thirdly, being attached to the game for such a long period of time, he is nothing in comparison of being an ambassador of the game. Be it the ball biting incident or his remarks that Pakistani Women are great cooks when asked about the Pakistan Cricket Women’s team. He has, on a number of occasions, let his team as well as his nation down.

Fourthly, his records fail to answer the question as to whether he was actually a batsman who could bowl fast leg spin, an all-rounder or a bowler who could bat a bit?

Ageing Captain Lala has been under much fire recently for his comments on Kashmir, for his declining form and the lack of tactical know-how. His darting leg spin has looked unthreatening in recent times. And as Javed Miandad rightfully remarked on Afridi on Pakistan’s Aaj TV Channel, “The man who is unpredictable and no one knows how he will perform is playing as a team captain.”

Echoing Miandad’s statements, many ex-Pakistan cricketers have criticised Afridi’s lack of tactical nous. With so much controversy and media pressure, one can only hope that Afridi finally decides to draw a curtain to his career; unless he decides to take a U-turn this time too.