Afridi blames top order batsmen for WT20 loss

E-Paper | May 30, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Flamboyant allrounder Shahid Afridi has blamed the negative approach of Pakistan's top order batsmen for the team's heavy defeat to the West Indies and early exit from the World Twenty20.

Pakistan returned home on Wednesday after an 84-run defeat against the defending champions saw it miss out on the tournament's semifinals for the first time.

West Indies effectively put the 2009 champions out of the game once it reduced them to 13-4 in 5.3 overs, while chasing 167, and will take on Sri Lanka in the first semifinal on Thursday.

“We lost the match because of our negative approach in the first six overs,” Afridi told reporters at the airport in Karachi.

Pakistan looked to have contained West Indies until the 17th over by reducing them to 107-5 before captain Darren Sammy and Dwayne Bravo clobbered 59 runs in the last three overs of Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal and Sohail Tanvir – lifting the total to 166-6.

“It wasn't such a big total which couldn't be achieved – but the game slipped out of our hands in the first six overs of our batting,” Afridi said.

Pakistan also lost to archrival India in the group match while its two victories came against Australia and Bangladesh.

The selectors recalled Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik for the World Twenty20. Though both are experienced players, neither could make an impact – scoring just 48 and 52 runs respectively in four matches.

Also read: Picking 'seniors' wasn't a great idea: Latif

Afridi's performance was slightly better as he made 68 runs and took four wickets.

Pakistan coach Moin Khan, who took over from Dav Whatmore just before the Asia Cup in late February, said the cricket board needed to take some “tough decisions” after doing a post mortem on the team's performance.

Pakistan's next international assignment is in October when it takes on Australia in a one-off Twenty20, three one-day internationals and two test matches in the United Arab Emirates.

Asked if he was willing to take over as captain of the ODI and Twenty20 teams, Afridi said: “I am ready to accept any challenge for the Pakistan team. As a player and as a captain I have no issues, but things should improve.”

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Sport

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butseriouslyok

Apr 02, 2014 11:28pm

Afridi knows that Akmal brothers and few other players earn more for not playing more.

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matteroffact

Apr 02, 2014 11:38pm

It's a case of the pot calling the kettle black...and Afridi should be the first one out leading the way. He has made us loose many a games than a few he has won for us. I wish he had a better head over his shoulders.

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Apr 02, 2014 11:59pm

That's a sportsmanship for you. You win as a team and loose as a team. That's how you unite a team. It's like politician psychology, always blaming someone else and never taking responsibility for their ineptitude.

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Aslam Bhatti

Apr 03, 2014 12:06am

The team which relies on Afridi kind of player for win then you should know that team is not worthy. This team had flaws from the beginning but we should take this loss and just a loss. And don't stop believing. There will be a few minor changes but that's all.

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John

Apr 03, 2014 12:16am

Top order batsmen failed - how does it absolve Afridi from his responsibilities. Did he try to remain on the crease to provide a solid foothold from one side of the wicket? Afridi failed miserably and is now pointing fingers at others. Shame on sportsmen like him.

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AIJAZ

Apr 03, 2014 12:20am

Whatever......

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Fiz

Apr 03, 2014 12:31am

What about your own self dear? Playing only one meaningfull innings does not absolve you of your responsibilities.

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Youth

Apr 03, 2014 12:37am

Top order or top loser. I think they all should pardoned because they are weak & clueless players, old sheeps of the flock, they cant be better, they can't win important matches, I feel sorry for them, old clowns rendered clown less.

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Ram Grandhi

Apr 03, 2014 12:48am

Instead of blaming, just accept the fact that team was just not good enough to win. " Flamboyant allrounder Shahid Afridi has blamed the negative approach of Pakistan's top order batsmen for the team's heavy defeat by the West Indies and early exit from the World Twenty20". Flamboyant means :having a very noticeable quality that attracts a lot of attention. Making these kind of comments makes him irresponsible and not flamboyant

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Weirdity

Apr 03, 2014 12:56am

No worries. You still can hope for India to lose so you can celebrate. :-)

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zahid

Apr 03, 2014 12:59am

Blame game started. Botttom line is pakistan is not a GOOD Team.. very simple. Remember PAKISTAN team bowled out against S Africa for 49 RUNS. that tells you All.

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roomi

Apr 03, 2014 01:29am

And Now the politician Afridi eyes captaincy by absolving himself of all responsibility..!! Shows you what team unity did Pakistan possess !! No wonder they fell like nine pins the minute Windies piled on the pressure !

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atif dawood

Apr 03, 2014 01:39am

Look who's talking. If you're so worried about top batsmen then why don't you open the innings. You only play well in 1 out of 10 matches, your batting average is 23 hasn't improved in years and you have guts to call out other batsmen. Pakistan cricket team will never improve because they have too many useless players in the team.

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sami

Apr 03, 2014 01:55am

How about top order bowlers conceding so many runs. Realistically target of 167 was never gettable for our batsmen. Now is the time to bring new fast bowlers to the side. Next is ODI WC.

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big joke

Apr 03, 2014 02:45am

@Afridi Thank you we do not need you as player, as captain (run away from uk) sorry no more responsibilities, check your own performance, What about your own self dear? Playing only one meaningfull innings does not absolve you of your responsibilities.

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Saeed

Apr 03, 2014 03:14am

Same old story . Blaming each other then united Asked Lala how many times lost because of you . In one series you did good don't mean you the best of them. Shame on you . You are divider of team than united. He must go .

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Fowez

Apr 03, 2014 03:19am

The question is what did Afridi do to help the team win? He wasn't any better than the rest of the Senior members in the squad. At #2 Kamran Akmal and #5 Shoaib Malik scored just 48 and 52 runs in the tournament. Batting at #3 The Professor had 55 runs with a strike-rate of 72. At #7 Afridi's performance was slightly better as he made 68 runs.

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Khawaja

Apr 03, 2014 04:16am

There is no blame towards Afridi, he played as an all rounder, gave green shirts break when ever needed. He did his part, and still have few years of service to Pakistan left in him. We should let him play his game. Fans are suggesting "gambling", it is now part of the game and is fueling increased cricket activity around the world, all year along.

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Conflicted

Apr 03, 2014 04:29am

Seems to me the team would do better in the kitchen than it does in the field. Hopefully, they have 'zaiqa' in their hands. Come on, they get paid top dollar so isn't it about time they started to deliver? Also, isn't it time to get Miandad and Zaka Ashraf back? Does Najam Sethi even know what a cricket bat looks like? And we keep bleating ad nauseam about good governance.

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Ranvijay Singh Rathore

Apr 03, 2014 04:41am

Well this is not a good sign, i must say, as an Indian, i have never seen players criticizing others in International Cricket after getting defeated. This shows there are ruptures within the team and this could be one of the factors responsible for the defeat. Men in Green should accept their poor performance and carry on with their lives, this bickering would take them nowhere. Now its the job of the Management to sort out the issues. Afridi should have behaved like a team player instead he behaved like an angry school kid who blames everyone for the loss. On a personal note i think he should be removed but on the other hand i have a hunch that he could very well become Pakistan's next Captain. Also, i do feel for them, considering they are not allowed to play in the IPL, i think BCCI should reconsider its decision for 2015. Lack of proper cricket is also one factor, plus i would love to see Ajmal, Afridi, Hafeej playing in the IPL. Please BCCI make it happen. Cheers.

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PakFan

Apr 03, 2014 05:22am

Batting is not Pak cricket strength. Wake up call for our bowling. Gul and company no good for ODI WC A lot to be done in so less time....only fast bowling improvement can be the way to the finals of ODI WC.

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aslam

Apr 03, 2014 05:42am

Well everyone forgot when Afridi came to the crease the Game was already lost, needing 24 in over. He is right the top order should have not wasted all those overs or afridi should have been up the order. No one knows the cricket and talking from their stomach.

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Lulu

Apr 03, 2014 07:34am

Afridi is opportunist. He succeeded a little on BD wickets but in Australi and NZ (WC) he will be a big zero.

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fida sayani

Apr 03, 2014 08:12am

Moin Khan, Post mortem should have been done before the tournament. What were Malek, Kamran, Tanveer, the failures were doing in the team. All those responsible for the team failure should be permanently kicked out for ever and should never be allowed to participate in the affairs of cricket in Pakistan.

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ashok

Apr 03, 2014 08:15am

@matteroffact: I wish he had blame poor technique rather then lack of attacking Cricket from the Batsman.I think Pakistan should play more Test matches so that their batsman learn the technique of taking singles rather than playing the ball on their front foot and eyes towards the sky.

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Lekhraj

Apr 03, 2014 08:16am

Neither he bowl well nor bat How can he make judgement about other players

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distant Pakistani

Apr 03, 2014 08:59am

Well!! It is collaborated defeat by the players not just afridi. they have failed to come up with good performance as everyday cannot be same. But i did not hurt as hard as we lost from INDIA. i am sorrounded with many indians these days they keep ranting after pakistan's defeat. anyways. they should have fought well with windies they just gave up as they are playing in streets. these players are those people who have been exceptionally selected out of 18Cror People of Pakistan. they should be capable of managing all sort of intense situations. Pata ni Kya karte rehte hai , time hi zaya kerte country ka b or humara b . this has not been any entertainment now. super dislike for Hafeez and his approach to play.

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ali

Apr 03, 2014 09:13am

To some extent, Afridi is true: but again he can't avoid the responsibility of irresponsibility.The way Ahmed Shahzad was got out was justifiable,becuase that ball was really an unplayable ball. But what happened with the other guys including Afridi for getting ousts?--It's simply disgusting and pathetic to look to see to treating the ball! What a shame, most of the cricketers were got out playing down the short and spin balls, as if they're playing with tennis ball in a street..It makes us really really shocked and disappointed! May be there is something wrong with somewhere else, because among the players some guys were proven suspected! Lets see what time will say!

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Sunil Sinha

Apr 03, 2014 09:34am

Easy to blame others for the loss. Shahid Afridi must look at his own performance first.

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Naeem Syed

Apr 03, 2014 09:41am

Love all comments. We all can cry, get angry and mad. NOTHING WILL CHANGE. These opportunists will be back in NEXT T20. MARK MY WORD. They are in team because they have backing of people who are powerful and DON

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BRR

Apr 03, 2014 10:01am

Pot calling the kettle black.

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Apr 03, 2014 10:08am

@John: Lol what are you talking about John? Look at the position Afridi came in and the support he had from the other end. He was playing with Sohail Tanvir and Umar Gul needing more than 100 runs in 40-50 balls. What were you expecting from him? Being a bowling all rounder hes playing fine. Pakistan team lacks leadership and aggressiveness. And he is right, we lost because of our top order batsmen who failed miserably scoring just 13 in 6 overs and losing 4 wickets. That was a disgusting performance. They should show Kamran Akmal and Shoaib malik the door. Bring back Junaid Khan who gets axed everytime they want to bring in someone else. Hafeez should resign from captaincy as he can't lead from the front. If they want seniors in our team for this format they should bring back Razzaq. Yes there are matches in which we can blame Afridi but in this tournament we cant.

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Khan

Apr 03, 2014 10:33am

And Sir what about the 372 times when you got out scoring under 10 runs?

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Shahnawaz

Apr 03, 2014 10:43am

Negative seriously Afridi????... I think dey were too positive and dat was da problem.. All got out by playing shots... Had they jus played first 6 overs safely even a run rate of 12 can be chased in last 10 ... Fact is u running towards captaincy now and datz da worst dat can happen 2 da team

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woof woof

Apr 03, 2014 10:47am

Afridi is clearly eyeing the captaincy. He should be out of the team along with Akmal and Malik. He is playing petty politics when the team is in complete disarray. Pakistan needs a new breed of selfless young cricketers, and not talent-less crooks like Afridi who plays good cricket once every year.

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Calcutta Man

Apr 03, 2014 10:52am

And this is the level of maturity shown by a senior player? Wow!

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A Pakistani

Apr 03, 2014 11:09am

He's right, 30 something runs in first 10 overs, just imagine the same Pakistani team who scored 190 runs in two consecutive games. We must know that there is a Misbah and Hafeez lobby in the team, backed by key figures in PCB due to their outside political / influential connections. There is no other way through which Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal got in the team in T20 WCup. PCB backs them. Afridi has always faced heat while dealing with the PCB. By no means Afridi is a consistent reliable player, one time he hits 10 sixes in a match and one time he goes back at 0. The thing is, he has the right attitude to be a Captain. In the match against West Indies, he came at No. 7, what you guys think he's Superman?. Even then he hit two sixes. In my memory, the last time i ever saw Pakistan team at the top was when Wasim Akram was the captain, before and during 1999 WCup. The best thing about Wasim Akram, he was an aggressive captain, he would scold you and shout at you from the pitch if you missfield a batsman's shot. Afridi is aggressive too, Misbah and Hafeez have no in ground presence, no tactical / strategic thinking. Afridi might not be the best player but he's going to be a lot better Captain than Hafeez.

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Hamzashah

Apr 03, 2014 11:19am

@Youth: i agree

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Hamzashah

Apr 03, 2014 11:19am

@Youth: i agree

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Bernard Lawrence

Apr 03, 2014 11:31am

Why is Shahid Afridi blaming the top order batsmen and others for the defeat against West Indies? What was he doing making animated gestures sitting with the Coach Moin Khan. He had helped Pakistan win the two high scoring matches against India and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup tournament in grand style. Had he lost his steam? His body language during the last few months clearly suggests that he is interested in the captaincy. God help the Pakistan team if he manages to be successful. Mentally, he is not mature for the post. Spectators are happy with this heroics of hitting sixes. Let's keep it at that.and pray for the best, of the country.

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Kaps

Apr 03, 2014 11:42am

Some facts about Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi (a.k.a Lala, Boom Boom Afridi) * Close to 18 years of cricket * **Test**: Matches -27, Runs -1716, Avg -36.51, Highest - 156, Wickets - 48 * **Oneday**: Matches -378, Runs -7619, Avg -23.44, Highest - 124, Wickets - 378 * **T20**: Matches -145, Runs -2256, Avg -19.78, Highest - 80, Wickets - 77 These are staggering figures and he is an ambassador of

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Khan

Apr 03, 2014 12:00pm

@Ranvijay Thanks for your support but I actually support BCCI for their decision not to play our Paki players b/c no need to oblige the players who only play for themselves rather than for the country. And even if they will be a part of IPL, their performance will be same as now as they will know that no matter what they will get the money. So I suggest, keep them out.

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Siddharth

Apr 03, 2014 12:17pm

Mr Afridi....it was first the Indians who didn't have a big heart like the Pakistanis. Now I believe West Indians would not have it. Stop the blame game sir. You guys didn't click as a team.

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fahad

Apr 03, 2014 01:12pm

@Weirdity: M hopping for India to win !

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fahad

Apr 03, 2014 01:24pm

To those blamming Afridi's performance should see how much he had contributed with the ball and the field , he is a pitch hiter and thats his role at number 7 , what more do u expect ? for the last game it is simply non-comprehendable how they all gifted their wickets away , all trying to play comming down the wicket to a spin bowler , none tried to go back in crease to play like the WI played AJmal . Sohail tanveer is a faliure but in the last match he did really bowled very well ! , Gul has to be given untill he can remember how to bowl those yourkers instead of short balls ! S.Malik and K.Akmal should be left out for good and U.Akmal should be trained by Moin how to do keeping , moin was a briliant keeper of his time and also how to bat. Sohaib Maqsood and Fawad Alam should be carried on in the playying 11 to get them the confidence they need like India did with Raina, Jadja and Dhawan.

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Rogers Evans

Apr 03, 2014 01:28pm

What Afridi is saying, is 100% right. It is always top order who make the basis for other players to bat with confidence. However PCB must revisit their selection process for the future. Afridi as captain of ODI and T20 will make good sense and decision. He can develope the young players and maintain discipline in the team. His critics may not agree, but they must face realities for the better team in future.

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Muhammad

Apr 03, 2014 01:56pm

@Siddharth: Everyone is talking against Afridi because they wanted him to win the match from that position. Thiny before you speak man he is a human being not iron man. Hafeez , Malik, kamran and PCB are the big culprits.

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ADIL KHAN

Apr 03, 2014 02:01pm

there is no place for Umar gul & Shoaib malik in team, give a chance to Asad shafiq.& AbdurRazzak. i

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Dr.M.M.Khan

Apr 03, 2014 03:25pm

@matteroffact: i agree. Fast bowlers never become old they just stop taking wickets. Batsmen never become old they just stop making runs. Spinners keep on spinning and spinning but keep on whining. Afridi has been playing on over twenty years---the gloss is gone but the bravado is stil there. Call it a day gracefully. Share the blame rather than appropiate it.

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Cricketer

Apr 03, 2014 04:27pm

Bernard Lawrence Very well said. Almost all players got out playing attacking shots and yet Afridi says they were not aggressive

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neil

Apr 03, 2014 04:34pm

As per statastics shows pak loses 75% of matches chasing 150+ scores, the moment WI crossed 150, pak players shoulders dropped & u see the insane batting, both the openers gone for duck, rest all batsman got stumped charging mindlessly, u dont see so many batters goes in same fashion. There is no tactics or stratergy from pak while chasing, they just go hanky panky. Even in match against australia they were lucky to escape Maxwell onslaught, mind u none of aussies batsman were in form or else pak wud have got packed much earlier. Just changing coaches after every tournament is not the answer, india despite heavy defeats in SA & NZ retained Fletcher & getting good results now.

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Hyder

Apr 03, 2014 04:41pm

Sir, Fawad Alam made a sensational comeback during the recently concluded Asia cup in Bangladesh but he was not even selected for the T20 world cup. Is PCB selection committee consisting of jokers that they chose Kamran Akmal and Shoeb Malik for this mega event? Why Sharjeel Khan was not given extended run when he is considered as a T20 specialist? Mohamed Hafiz has played international cricket for over ten years now and how much more time he will need to learn to score runs when it matters in international cricket. The guy does not deserve a place in the side and PCB has appointed him as captain. Sheer stupidity and nepotism shown by the PCB!!!!!! Regards

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allauddin

Apr 03, 2014 05:15pm

Removal of Hafeez from the team and captaincy will be at least a step in right direction as we are already out of this big tournament in which we should have at least maintained our record of all t20 semifinals ...now what needs to be done here is that a complete overhaul of our team must take place those already in this team a few of them must be selected for future such as Shahid Afridi must still play as he is ,was ,will remain a best option for us forever..Sharjeel khan,Babar,Umar Akmal,Ajmal,Junaid khan,Bhatti,shehzad rest of them whoever played in tournament must be fired immediately...and very importantly the support and coaching staff must be changed immediately as to me they are a major culprit as they provided no benefit whatsoever...

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M. H. Jamshed

Apr 03, 2014 05:34pm

Someone get this so-called cricket player Shahid Afridi out of our team. Who lets him in every time?? Budda player should've retired 10 years ago. He has no right to make judgments on our team. He's helped us win 20 matches and helped us lose 200 matches. Shahid Afridi is a drama mama.

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SRavindran

Apr 03, 2014 07:03pm

I totally agree with what afridi said... But things should have been changed from 13 for 4 to 105 for 4 since afridi is there.....He came only after 3 or 4... One day you hit two sixs in the final moment against india... But this match is a do or die match... then as a senior you should take the responsibility.. I expect more from you afridi.. you are not only a best cricketer but also an aggressor.....Keep going on.... S Ravindran

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Mr.T

Apr 03, 2014 08:18pm

and when top order batsman plays well, and you didn't do good, nobody takes your name ? Com'on pathan did you listen to anyone at your early career ? very low attitude for blaming top order batsman, everybody knows it's their mistake, what about you ???

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tansar

Apr 03, 2014 10:40pm

@ADIL KHAN: Asad Shafiq tor T20? Are you serious?

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optimist

Apr 04, 2014 01:28am

This is not proper attitude by Afridi. He is not fit to be captain, the captain should be a cool headed but practical person like Younus Khan.

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Omar

Apr 04, 2014 06:12am

@matteroffact: Actually Afridi has won more man of the match awards than any other person the current team. When he was not performing with the bat,his bowling was good enough to justify selection,not to mention excellent fielding and general upbeat and positive vibe on the field. Yes,he is not ideal , but he has been far better in short formats and a vital component of our wins.Jest remember had it not been Afridi,we would have not won T20 world cup.

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Farrukh

Apr 04, 2014 12:41pm

Afridi acted like an opportunist, instead of taking the responsibility , he is playing the blame game, just because of huge fan following he is in the team, any cricketer can play one good inning out of 100, our team needs responsible team members, not kids, who start fighting after losing a match. Shane Watson of Australia, Alex Hales of England and Guptill from New Zealand team did not call a press conference and played any blame game, this immature behavior can only be expected from Afridi.

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Bablo

Apr 04, 2014 03:01pm

2 Years before, when Abdur-Razzaq opened his mouth publically against Hafeez, he was reprimanded and almost faced a career end.... while Afridi now did the same... and he would be crowned with captaincy... So two different responses from PCB for the same behaviour of 2 cricketers tells the story that where the actual problem lies...

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Rehan

Apr 04, 2014 03:12pm

Lala its very easy to pass the buck, who do you blame for defeat in semi final of 2011 WC ??

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rana

Apr 05, 2014 07:18am

Now this is the difference between a team like India and pak the discipline inside the ground and outside the ground u did not take responsibility inside the ground to winning ur team so then why u taking responsibility to making comments on the player of our own team this is not a good spots man spirit. U have to play with them in future he comments like a small child who lose in his colony and blame to own players. come on man grow up whole world see the match.

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raj

Apr 05, 2014 10:58am

All those who hate Afridi must understand that hevis the only player who took 5wickets and scored 50+ vscored in same match .... And most no of 6's and fastest century fastestb50 huge 6 150mts ... And Asia cup heroics and t20world how can cycos forget.. You just need more players like Kohli ,dhoni instead of Akmal bro,shehzad show off and misba tuk tuk,shoib tuktuk

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Hashim

Apr 05, 2014 05:46pm

Afridi is such a clown, politics all the time just to become captain. He should be the first one out of this team.

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