Shahid Afridi retires from test cricket

[gangstacocacola]

Shahid Afridi has announced his `retirement' from Test cricket. In an announcement that caught most people in Pakistan by complete surprise, Afridi told a local TV channel that he was planning to concentrate only on ODI cricket to ready himself for the World Cup in 2007.

But, in a typically Pakistani twist, Afridi said that he would reconsider his `retirement' from Tests after the World Cup.

What do you lot think about this? I think that in the test arena, his bowling will be missed more than his batting as he has the ability to break partnerships. This makes sense in that he will be playing in the C&G trophy with Ireland. His way out of the test team can bring in a chance for another pace bowler or a specialist batsman in the team.

[Ernest]

Yes we have heard all this from players before, whichever way Pakistan will win, if he concentrates on one day cricket, better for Pakistans World Cup prospects.

But lets see if he acctualy retires.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

That would be a massive blow if he did both to pakistan and cricket in general. What ever think about him, lifes never dull with him about and is a very good cricketer.

[Aussie-Yank]

Agree with RBLC, it would be a loss to cricket if he did not play test match cricket. I can understand a cricket board not selecting a player in a test match but would be the first picked in a ODI (Bevan from Australia springs to mind), but that only occurred due to the fact that he had a weakness that could be exploited in the test arena - but really could not in ODI.

[Vrock]

I suppose Afridi wants to give himself the fun season of English domestic One day tournaments to really get his free flowing batting (not much different in tests) going and to keep himself fit and not have too much burnout. All the best for him getting some hugely decent form.

I'm sure he will return, once the glamour and glitz of the World Cup have passed, win or lose, to test cricket to light up the Pakistan batting order.

[cantplaycantalk]

Sorry but I will only ever remember one thing when I hear his name and that is roughing up the pitch in a test match with his spikes while he thought nobody was looking.

For that reason alone I would not feel sorry if he never played the game again.

[Rachael]

Does this mean he conveniently avoids the demands of playing responsible, difficult innings in England where the likes of Hoggard and Jones are likely to get the ball to swing and the likes of Harmison and Flintoff are getting the ball to move of the seam?

How vey inspired... far more sensible for him to hide in the shadows until presented with very flat ODI pitches and given a license to slog...and then emerge in the world cup as a giant of the game .

[Vrock]

Or is he saving the England bowlers from being battered around the ground for X runs? Just depends how you look at Rachael.

So what if he is going to concentrate on ODI's, it is his choice and if it is certainly better for him so that he can get a decent run of limited overs cricket in preperation for what many see is his forte game then so be it, it is his career.

He may be reluctant to play a responsible role of batting in the side against a formidable England pace attack at home so he would rather see a more patient bat put in his place.

I think it would have been more obvious that he was doing it to avoid the English bowlers if it was right before the Test match series in July, which is still a good three months away.

The bottom line is, we do not know what his incentive is. All I hope is that he does return to the Test Cricket arena at some point after the World Cup.

[totaltosser]

most ridiculous thing ive seen for a while, how old is this guy 25 or something? once again the test match form of the game is **** upon in favour of the meaningless knockabout. he was a potentially really entertaining player with a lot to offer the test side but if thats the way he feels then screw him, would be funny if woolmer and co. never pick him again after he eventually decides he's not bigger than the game and makes himself available again.

[Maranello]

Originally Posted by cantplaycantalk

Sorry but I will only ever remember one thing when I hear his name and that is roughing up the pitch in a test match with his spikes while he thought nobody was looking.

Really? And the only thing you remember about Atherton is that he had dirt in his pocket to illegally tamper the ball? And the only thing you remember about Gatting is the worse on-field abuse directed at an official in perhaps the history of Test cricket? And the only thing you remember about Dravid is that he was using a sweet to tamper with the ball? And the only thing you remember about Cronje, Salim Malik, Azharuddin et al were that they were found guilty of match-fixing?

If that is indeed the case, then I am somewhat surprised, for it appears that you must have a very short memory indeed That, or you prefer to focus on the one negative to the exclusion of all that is good and positive.

Afridi made one silly mistake, was punished for it, and was duly contrite - his behaviour in the immediate aftermath of his wrongdoing and since has been impeccable. In any case, all that is irrelevant - as he was punished, that's the end of the matter.