Story Merchant of Malice: The Shahid Afridi Story (Cricket Coach 2009)

[The Blazer]

INDEX

02.04.09 Afridi Hungry For Success

21.04.09 Bank Alfalah Series- 1st ODI vs Australia

23.04.09 Bank Alfalah Series- 2nd ODI vs Australia

27.04.09 Bank Alfalah Series- 3rd ODI vs Australia

 

[Biggy]

Great start, interesting story. I will be following this one.

 

[shantanu_rooney]

Great start mate, looks good.

 

[BKB1991]

Interesting Start. He plays mind games with symonds then gets out 2nd ball. Good Stuff

 

[The Blazer]

AFRIDI HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS​

The Daily Sher

02.04.09 (Karachi): Dashing Pakistani all-rounder Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi told the press today that he was eagerly anticipating the arrival of the Australian cricket team later this month for a five match ODI series before the inevitable ICC Twenty20 World Cup during the English summer.

"Obviously the Australians are a strong outfit, but we are a united team under Younis [Khan]," said a fast talking Afridi after a net session with Habib Bank team-mates. "It will be a tough series for us, the Australians always play top quality cricket. But we have a good balance in the team and some youngsters are coming through so let's see when the squad is announced."

Afridi, who will no doubt play a pivotal role in the success of the Pakistani team at the World Cup, could not abstain from billowing up some controversy before the series by taking a potshot at opposing number Andrew Symmonds. "He [Symmonds] has been in and out of the Australian side. He looks very confused," said a typically mischievous Afridi, smirking underneath a beard that would otherwise suggest maturity and wisdom. "I do not know if he will come to Pakistan as he will not earn as much as he would in the IPL," Afridi suggested, laughing.

When asked about the Indian government's decision to bar Pakistani players from taking part in the second edition of the IPL, Afridi was dismissive. "Politics plays a big part in cricket these days- it shouldn't be that way, but it is. But I do not think it is a bad thing; I don't think we will miss it much- the boys get good enough practice playing domestically here."

The Bank Alfalah ODI series kicks off on 21st April when Pakistan and Australia clash at Peshawar. Given Peshawar's large Pathan population, the game should be a guaranteed sell out and thousands will no doubt flock to the stadium to see whether Shahid Afridi can get his Boom Boom going.

Shahid Afridi lets one rip as he readies himself for a summer of cricket.​

 

[Precambrian]

02.04.08 (Karachi):.......
When asked about the Indian government's decision to bar Pakistani players from taking part in the second edition of the IPL, Afridi was dismissive. "Politics plays a big part in cricket these days- it shouldn't be that way, but it is. But I do not think it is a bad thing; I don't think we will miss it much- the boys get good enough practice playing domestically here."

Surely he had a time machine to see the developments surrounding IPL2 even before IPL1 itself began???

 

[The Blazer]

Lol small typo, sorry about that.

Sorry guys just reorganising a thread a bit (the inability to post more than once in a row is a bit irksome)- Afridi's grand innings of 4 runs will be posted back up soon.

 

[The Blazer]

PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA 1st ODI ​

AFRIDI'S MENTAL STATES MALFUNCTION- PAKISTAN IN DEEPER TROUBLE​

Sher T.V

The first over of the series, with Pakistan winning the toss and electing to bat under overcast decisions. Khurram Manzoor's stumps are lying ominously on the ground after he was comprehensively beaten by a 92mph Brett Lee fireball. And here comes Afridi! Presumably pushed up the order by Younis Khan to make full use of these powerplays.

0.4: Pitched up and we all knew what was going to happen. A searing 93mph delivery, first up to a new batsman, but it doesn't matter- Shahid Afridi throws the kitchen sink at it and watches it sail over mid-on and bounce a few inches within the boundary. Result- FOUR.

0.5: Pace, pace, pace. Rarely do we see Afridi getting beaten for pace but Brett Lee has just pitched one on a good length and it's rapped Afridi on the pads as he tries to flick it square. He looks around manically and attempts a run before realising that the umpire was slowly raising his finger. So it's wham bham, thank you ma'am from Shahid Afridi- he's got his strike rate of 200, he'll be happy with that.

Faux blitzkrieg: Shahid Afridi's tragically short innings.​

Brett Lee on fire as Afridi's dismissal puts Pakistan on the back foot.​

A poor batting performance was followed by a mediocre bowling performance, with Afridi unable to pitch in with any breakthroughs as Pakistan successfully bundled Australia for 198 and managed to defend a relatively low score of 206.

 

[Pakistani Army]

A typical Afridi Innings. He should have remained at the crease. I feel with his presence he could have slapped a couple of boundaries towards the fence and Pakistan could have gained 20-30 more runs which would have inevitably put the margin of victory higher.

Looking at the bowling, Afridi was economical however I feel he should have got a wicket. On a team effort, it was fantastic defending 206. With this I feel Afridi should have utilised the conditions better.

Regarding the writing and presentation, they are very well written with a good choice of words aswell as it being neatly presented. A top notch effort coming back into the story forum Obaid bhai. Keep it up! :happy

 

[The Blazer]

PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA 2nd ODI ​

AFRIDI WITH A QUICK BURST OF BOOM BOOM​

Sher T.V

The Australians with another poor show with the bat, as they collapse to a measly 152. Afridi again was ever so slightly expensive (by his standards), but managed to trap Tait LBW at the business end of the innings. No doubt Tait will be looking to return that favour when Shahid Afridi comes out to bat.

Pakistan chasing a modest 153 for victory, but have again made it difficult for themselves by losing an early wicket. Malik edged one to slips from Tait's first ball and in comes Shahid Afridi with his slightly pigeon toed walk. He'll face Tait first and then Brett Lee from the other end- there will be fireworks, one way or another.

1.2 Tait steaming in like a warhorse but delivering it like a tame pony- a full length delivery and it's served to Afridi on a silver platter, complete with salad dressing. Afridi swings from across the arc and creams it over mid-on for a four. First ball, first boundary. Lee goes over to have a word with Tait.

1.3 Back of a length this time and Afridi sedately knocks it down to mid-on to pick up a single. A flicker of normality amidst the insanity.

2.1 Pakistan are already two down, but context hardly matters when Shahid Afridi is batting. Brett Lee gallops in but doesn't practice what he preached- like Tait he pitches one up and Afridi needs no second invitations. Lee bowled that at 91mph and it probably went back over his head at roughly the same speed. One bounce and into the hoardings. The crescendo of the crowd reaches fever pitch.

2.2 Pacey, and short- but not short enough. Lee may be delivering Zeus' leather thunderbolts, but Afridi has the eye of a dead fish. He picks that up early and barbarically pulls it away square. Four more!

Afridi introduces himself to Australia's express pace twins.​

2.3 And now a dot ball. Afridi playing a perfect backward defensive, showing the full face of the bat- straight from the coaching manual. Lee smiles wryly and gathers the ball; Afridi winks at him deviously and then adjusts his helmet and breathes in deeply. He's twitching.

2.4 Bouncer! Afridi tries a murderous hook but gets a top edge which goes up, up, and up, and finally comes down with some stardust on it. Watson runs in from fine leg and takes the catch. The Pathan goes, but not before getting an earful from some of the passing Australians.

Afridi once again fails to make a substantial impact with the bat.​

 

[Ollie_H]

Wow! Your description is simply stunning and adds to the character you have given Afridi! Stunning! BOOM BOOM!

 

[Biggy]

Well done mate, keeping us hooked. Nice job with the index and seperating the 1st few entrys. Keem them coming.

 

[The Blazer]

PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA 3rd ODI ​

A FEW SKUD MISSLES AND A JAFFA​

Sher T.V

17/1 after Shoaib Malik edged one to the slips off Brett Lee after looking promising. The stadium erupts and thousands jump to their feet to watch Shahid Afridi make his ominous entrance onto the field of play, a smoking Sher at his side- a gladiator entering the lion's den. In early again and ready to face a heavy artillery display from Lee and Tait.

2.5 Lee bangs one in short at express pace, looking to hit Afridi or else have him smelling leather as he ducks and weaves around. Unfortunately for Lee, this mountain-raider from the Kyhber Agency is unpredictable. Very unpredictable. Afridi audaciously hooks it from in front of his face and sees it land a good dozen rows behind the boundary. SIX! That's him playing himself in.

Afridi stands and admires his contemptuous treatment of Australia's premier pace bowler.​

2.6 Lee is riled up. With the flames steaming out of nostrils, he charges in and sends another bouncer down Afridi's way. This time it's a bullish pull that clears the man at midwicket and allows Afridi to scamper back for two. The two exchange pleasantries out of the umpire's earshot.

3.3 The Australians seem to be definitely trying to get Afridi to hole out against the short ball. Tait's first delivery to him travels towards his unblinking face at considerable pace and is savagely hooked up into the sky, before coming down and landing safely a few yards in front of fine leg. A single taken. Tait and Lee may be tearing in but Afridi has little time for trivialities- if he gets hold of a few more then this game could quickly race away from the Australians.

5.1 Tait to Afridi again and another short one! Identical result- Afridi mistimes the hook but it lands safely in front of fine leg. He takes the singler and walks away to square, hitting his bat against his pad in frustration.

6.1 Afridi to face his fifth delivery and every ball he has faced thus far has been an event. The peppering of short pitched deliveries continues as Lee takes a leaf out of Tait's book and tries to entice Afridi into another miscued hook. Not short enough- Afridi pulls it into a gap and picks up and easy single. And gives Lee a sly look.

7.3 Tait again and here's a surprise- a fuller delivery and Afridi plays it straight to the fielder. Dot ball. Ironic cheers ring out around the ground.

7.4 Pitched up again and out! Afridi couldn't get underneath that as he tries to flick it over the infield and ends up holing out to mid-on. And like Haley's comet, he goes.

Australia, despite a few stumbles, managed to chase down 173 in 38 overs, with the loss of six wickets. Afridi's small contribution consisted of picking up the scalp of Australian 'keeper Haddin.

Afridi picked up the sole wicket before the Australians wrapped up the game.

 

[ZoraxDoom]

The pitch map in the last image had no dots on it?


And damn it Boom Boom, get your act together and score a fifty already. 28 runs from 15 balls is good, but not over 3 innings. That's an average of less than ten! And 2 wickets at 64.5 a piece isn't very impressive either, economy of 4.44 is alright though.

 

[surendar]

So, the inconsistency in Afridi's batting continues & this is indeed a major drawback for Pakistan side. If Afridi goes on song, Pakistan looks to be as an unstoppable side but unfortunately, it isn't happening either here in games or in real cricket.

By the way, this story's layout is very neat & beautiful. Keep it up.