'Boom Boom' was one of a kind: Clarke

Published March 21, 2015
Boom Boom fades into the night. — AP
Boom Boom fades into the night. — AP

Australia captain Michael Clarke paid rich tributes to Pakistan's veterans, captain Misbah-ul Haq and all-rounder Shahid Afridi, whose one-day careers ended after their six-wicket defeat to the World Cup hosts.

Both Misbah and Afridi had announced they would retire from one-day cricket after the World Cup with skipper Misbah continuing to play Tests while Afridi will feature in Twenty20 cricket.

“They have been fantastic, experienced players,” Clarke said.

“Misbah is a good leader and Boom Boom Afridi is a one of a kind, a real entertainer.

“We have had some tough challenges in the past. I wish them both well in future.”

Misbah, 40, failed to get a one-day hundred in his entire career of 162 one-day internationals. His final run tally was 5,122 runs -- the most runs by any player in one-dayers without a hundred.

The captain managed 34 in Pakistan's sub-par total of 213 all out against Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

“It was my wish (to score a one-day hundred) but it didn't come about,” said Misbah, who has the most runs in all one-day cricket -- 5,122 in 162 matches -- without scoring a hundred.

“I put my whole effort into it but that didn't come and it will be a disappointment but I enjoyed my career and I am satisfied.”

Misbah's highest one-day score was 96 came against the West Indies at The Oval in the 2013 Champions Trophy.

“It was really an honour to represent my country,” said Misbah, who will continue to play Test cricket.

“I enjoyed my cricket and gave everything to my country.”

Afridi, famous for his 37-ball hundred in only his second one-day international made against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996, fell five wickets short of the 400-mark.

Afridi, 35, who scored 8,064 runs in his 398 one-day internationals, could have been the only all-rounder with over 8,000 one-day runs and 400 wickets.

"Shahid Afridi the ODI cricketer has quit the stage. The glorious, frustrating, charismatic, powerful, vulnerable, record-breaker, underachiever, champion and serial failer passed into 50-over history with an innings that summarised his batting career with an almost eerie perfection," Andy Zaltzman wrote in Cricinfo of the end of 'Afridism'.

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