Afridi will find it tough against better sides: Ian Chappell
85
Facing a storm at home, Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi decided to take matters into his own hands.
A whirlwind 19-ball 49 from 'Boom Boom' against Bangladesh in Pakistan's World Twenty20 opener ensured his side secured a morale-boosting victory on Wednesday. And before the dust settled, Afridi's harshest critics had been silenced.
But former Australian captain Ian Chappell has warned Pakistan fans not read too much into Afridi's fireworks and his decision to bat up the order against Bangladesh.
“I'm not sure if he will come up [the batting order] against the better sides. I'm not sure that they will allow him to play the way he did [against Bangladesh],” Chappell told ESPNcricinfo.
“But it worked and you have got to be flexible as a captain and he has probably got to pick his mark. He has got some other good players that he could push up the order.”
Chappell, who played 75 Tests and 16 one-day internationals for Australia, praised Afridi's “calm and relax” approach in the Pakistan's World T20 opener — something the 36-year-old swashbuckling all-rounder has lacked in his explosive career.
Afridi blasted 49 runs and returned to take 2-27 in match-winning that helped Pakistan launch their bid for a second World T20 title.
For Chappell, such an innings, however marvelous, would be tough to repeat unless the Pakistan captain was a 'little patient'.
“If he could bottle that and do, I mean you can't do it every time but most times and certainly on important occasions if you just stay a little bit calm,” he said.
“Sometimes you see him walk out to bat and you know immediately that this is not going to be good for Shahid Afridi. He is going to do something silly here.”
Commenting on the mercurial all-rounder's determined approach in the World T20 opener, Chappell said: “When he walked out [against Bangladesh], we thought at least he had a chance.”
“He looked relaxed, got a nice easy single to get off the mark and get himself going. So many times I have seen him bomb the first one straight up in the air and he is gone. But he was relaxed and it paid off for him.”
In case you missed it: Afridi's blistering knock against Bangladesh
Read more
Crowd flavour at Eden makes win sweeter
World T20: Pakistan turn it on to beat Bangladesh by 55 runs
In pictures: Afridi inspires Pakistan to a whopping 55-run victory
Wasim Akram lashes out at ‘below the belt’ criticism of Afridi
Nothing controversial about Afridi's statement: Waqar Younis
Kohli, Dhoni would receive as much love in Pakistan: Wasim Akram
On DawnNews
Comments (85) Closed
Mar 17, 2016 07:15pm
I support India , but the way Pakistan played against BD I feel that Pakistan would reemerge from its slumber.Chappel too could be right.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:21pm
I agree with Chappel. Also, as I have been pointing out that Pak will have tough time in bowling too against good sides as there is no one to complement Amir.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:33pm
Pakistan will definitely find it difficult to beat India, Australia and NZ.
Having said that, with Afridi back in form lets see how he performs against these three teams..
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:33pm
Afridi is committed to do better and take responsibility, he can thrash any attack on his days. 2009 t20 WC is proven example of it.
Sir Ian Chappel it would not be easy to bowl out Afridi, if he played with patience and wanted to occupy crease. And Afridi instead of playing long shots better focus on occupying crease longer, scores would come to him.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:35pm
It's t20 format, faster, more rapid than 50 overs one day matches. Let's hope Pakistan will not break the momentum, Afridi should promote himself up the order. Batting at 5 or 6 down hasn't worked for him for a long time now.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:37pm
The only problem with Afridi is his consistency one in a ten matches he will play match winning innings he has to be more consistent with his performance with big teams as rightly pointed by chappel.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:39pm
@Mahendra the other sides might also find it hard to beat Pakistan if Pakistan takes all these games seriously. It is a game, you have to put all your effort into it.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 07:57pm
Sorry to say but Ian Chappell don't understand modern cricket. lets not bother what he says. He finished talented players like Irfan phatan. Thanks Ian we are least bother what you say.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:24pm
Afridi always has a better chance to contribute when he comes in the middle overs. And the team should always take this risk as on the day when he does succeed, team most probably, will succeed too. It is waste of his abilities to send him with few ball left and ask him to hit very first ball for a six.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:33pm
Afridi will entertain us through out the tournament.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:34pm
Hes dead right.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:39pm
with respect Mr. Chappell, you can predicted india will show great game but what happens every buddy knows. Lala dont need your validation need support from his fans and he know hot destroy the blowing of any cricketing team in the world. he will play the way he want. he always play with listing to anyone.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:46pm
Well said very true.... Pak don't know how to play against stronger teams like India, NZ, SA or Australia...
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:49pm
Looks like Lala has learned a lesson from his
past mistakes, now he has started playing with more responsibility. We hope he will perform well in the coming matches too.
Good luck Air Marshall.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 08:56pm
Chappel is right,Pakistan certainly will meet tough time ahead but can make it,only if keep it's teamwork in form,boys must be warm,and fit,and their morale & spirit in high esteem,and last but
not the least their "luck" count.Often others mistakes help the team to win. Remember cricket is " by chance".
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:03pm
Who are these better sides Ian? Looks like they are not even confident of opening with 2 fast bowlers on subcontinent pitches.Except Pakistan all teams opening with spinners and part timers.So that is sign of better team? Have life mate.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:04pm
Remember, Sri Lanka was winner of the previous cup!
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:20pm
Absolutely correct Ian!! Lack of technique and batting professionalism may produce rare successes due to chance, but never consistency.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:26pm
Don't worry Mr.Chappel! When the going gets tough the tough get going.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:28pm
Pakistanis have short memories. One win and all past is forgotten.
I like them to do well but let see what happens against a good side.
Sharjeel Khan is not good international standards.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:50pm
@Hamza Khan That was Greg Chappell not Ian !
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:52pm
"And before the dust settled, Afridi's harshest critics had been silenced."
Wrong. Who are these fickle critics? and where are they? The criticism silences down for players who've not wasted more than a decade of their team's fans with false hopes.
Not with flash in the pan players, who destroy a generation of batsmen by handing out the wrong ideals.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 09:54pm
Ian Chappel you have played so much cricket and telling us what we know already. But that is what boom boom is. Let him go like that this last time
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 10:01pm
Sure, You want us to listen to the guy who said England, South Africa, India and Australia will get to Semi final. Mind your own cricket buddy will do ours. And my Pakistani brothers and Sisters, we want to win the cup in India not just beat India in India, if it happens it happens if not than who cares. Let's win the Cup, GO GREENS
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 10:07pm
Uncalledfor comment by chappel. A senior like him should have congratulated Afridi of coming out of his game slum instead he commented otherwise, not happy.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 10:34pm
Sound advice from Chappel for Afridi but sincerely hope that he comes early against India. However, history will repeat itself in India-Pakistan match so no worries for team India...
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 10:36pm
Afridi may be unpredictable number of times as this is the way he play. As for as chapell comments are concerned, he always speak negative about Afridi. One could check his previous remarks where he even disliked afridi celebration style with high arms. If he is so called cricket expert he must aware that people don't want to hear his likes or dislikes but a genuine cricket opinion, free from bias, that in my opinion he hardly possess..
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 10:49pm
Ian is right but h should be h fact stright as for the last few years Afridi was not even doing anything against smaller sides. So we as a nation take one day a a time even when it comes to our national policies. So Mr. Chappel let u enjoy today and you worry about tomorrow bcz ou belief tells us that we should not be sure about next moment forget about 72 plus hours later so enjoy with us :)
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 10:51pm
Ian chappels's best analysis about Shahid Afridi. I totally agree with him.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:01pm
@Hamza Khan I think you need to understand one thing: Technique and Professionalism will always deliver. Flash in the pan, is good entertainment while it lasts, but its a small battle. Wars are won differently. I hope we are there to win the war.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:03pm
One high-speed full toss is a confirmed technique to get Afridi out. I bet!!
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:25pm
Irfan is underrated. He consistently takes a wicket and goes for less than 6 RPO. I had lost hopes for Pakistani team but on flat Indian pitches like Calcutta, our batsmen can create trouble.. since most of them can hit the ball hard. Pakistani team has a chance guys! First target is to kick out Indian team from the tournament by beating them on Saturday!!
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:39pm
Afridi clicks in one game and then fails for 10 more games. Pakistan has to prove that they are worthy. They have to go out of their way to prove their critics wrong. one game is not enough.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:49pm
@LOUDSPEAKER Are you sure about that? I think it all requires luck to Afridi to build innings against weak bowling attack. Afridi always performs one match out of ten. Afridi did not learn anything. It was pure luck since he whacks every ball to hope for six and not a catch.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:57pm
@Shahid Wrong. Afridi never performs regardless of the batting position. He is always in a hurry and smashes the ball without common sense on how the bowler throws the ball to him and gets out on a duck more often than getting a six. It is just a luck but you can't rely on luck to win the games.
Recommend
0
Mar 17, 2016 11:59pm
Lala is inconsistent, Yes. He might not do well early on like you said, but then in the end he might come around to win us the cup. T20 is inconsistent. No guarantees, did you not see India vs NZ?
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:02am
I agree with Ian Chappel. He has given a fantastic advice to Afridi stay calm and gradually build up the momentum after playing the next few deliveries. Once he is set he will not stop anone otherwise one out of 10 matches. Good luck Pakistan
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:03am
@Desi Dimag And keep in the back of your mind when he gets out since he likes to smash every ball for a six. AB would be ten times better than him because he uses his brain unlike Afridi that will pretend to close eyes and hope that it goes for a six.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:09am
@abid
Agree100%
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:28am
Afridi did a good job, but real test is coming against India. Need to have good plan.
It will depend on Irfan and Wahab bowling spells. They need to be very accurate and plan every ball they deliver.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:30am
good and sincere advice but AFRIDI cannot able to control his nerves on the ground
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:43am
With him and the team it is always if and but, you do not get anything out of that.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:48am
Aussiee always dont like Afridi or lots Pakistani players its not surprise to see these comment from chapel, man with extermely short memory ....... last ODI asian cup he Afridi won it for Pak and he has many a time single handedly humlited aus with bat .... InshaAllah Afridi and Pak will beat these big 3
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:51am
Afridi is an entertainer sportsman and his style pleases man a fan, he has been extremely consistent inches own style and it too late to change, accept him for who he is and how much pleasure he gives cricketing fans the world over on the day he in form./ good luck to his team
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:52am
all those Afridi hater or jelous, who never will come close to his ablity name one player of your choice and then compaire him with Man Afridi
with ability to win lost game
with ability to score big shot under pressure
with ability to hit hard for last 30 year many came and retire ie B macilum but he was only good for few years otherwise average
I know he has heart india and Aus in the past but move on my friend
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 12:53am
Sir Ian Chappell has warned Pakistan fans not read too much into Afridi's fireworks and his decision to bat up the order against Bangladesh. “I'm not sure if he will come up [the batting order] against the better sides. I'm not sure that they will allow him to play the way he did [against Bangladesh],” Chappell told ESPNcricinfo. Ths is 100% correct Afridi play weaker side and never played against best team, his major test is against India, he only perform 1/15 his lower performance did not deserve to be in Pak team as member Afridi is burden on team.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 01:08am
@Sarah Well said SARAH.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 01:21am
@Sarah there is no fault in opening the innings with spin bowling if the pitch assist spin bowling. Shows your knowledge about cricket. Pakistan is the only team playing fast bowlers because thats the only thing Pakistan has which is in form. Pakistan does not have good spinners, good batsmen or good fielder..They just have Amir who is a MEDEOCRE fast bowler.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 01:32am
Afridi had enough, he's gonna blast all bowlers out in park.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 01:38am
Once in a blue moon. Write my words. I have been watching him since his first match.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:07am
@UR pakistan get done by bad decisions against stronger team other wise they can put strong fight.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:07am
@Hamza Khan it was his brother Greg
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:09am
afridi can destroy any team if he get going. he did it against all nations.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:48am
I wonder, mostly, how this guy ( Ian Chappell ) played for so long on international circuit with a mindset not better than Friday evening cricketers who enjoy some time with bat and ball on streets....
he is always anti Pak... mostly his cricketing knowledge is quite questionable... as late Benaud and others never took him in high esteem...
he would always ponder and come up with something which is hardly adoptable... he suggested Greg Chappell as coach for India during Ganguly's days and results are before all of us to see that infighting in cricket team led them to disaster one after another....
then in 92 WC final he suggested Pak should chase after winning toss in the wake of Duckworth Lewis method as rain was expected during final of WC. but great IK batted first, upon being asked as to why you opted to bat first whereas I Chappell is suggesting you to chase... IK said he is not god... I know what I am doing.... we won we all remember. and now Afridi....
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:52am
Ian is always anti Pak lobbyist in cricketing world.... Afridi must bat higher the order in all WC matches....
Ian's mindset is not better than friday evening cricketers when it comes to suggest something positive.... he was never taken seriously even by his own peers with likes of Simpson, Benaud, Bill Lawry and even D Lillee.... he was coward cricketer as he skipped West Indian tour of 78 due fake reasons, the only reason was he wanted to avoid WI pace battery....
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 02:53am
Good advise but I suspect it is all instinctive with Afridi.
Prove me wrong.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 03:23am
Better sides ?? So Bangladesh is poor side it's same who won against Pak in Asia cup
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 03:30am
When Afridi is on song it matters not who you are, you bowl and you get whacked. This has happened plenty of times to England, South Africa, Australia, Sril Lanka and Australia. Imagine someone setting a world record on their very first international innings that stands for 17 years... only to be broken with all the rule changes that favor the bastman. You can safely assume that there would none like him ever.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 03:43am
Afridi should open and lead from the front ... Sharjeel is useless anyways
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 03:51am
We may be tempted saying he can smash any balls if he is serious as we are from same country. But if we go out of that place and think in cricket skills only, Chappell is 100% right (even Afridi will accept it thats why he didn't have confident to play higher order).
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 04:52am
Oh yeah, as if he has done it against Zambia, USA and Germany in the past...it's Chappell's pay cheque talking. At least 16ODI old is doing his JOB right!!
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 05:07am
ind will have more pressure than pak in the match..pak already lost last time..losing again will not be a surprise..but ind cant afford to lose..
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 05:11am
Pak team players need to trust their own potential rather than to look at what team they are playing with & then focus on playing sensible but aggressive cricket without worrying too much about the final result of each game.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 05:14am
@Sarah -- Ian Chappell was a great player, and he is a top cricket analyst. Only the most consistent teams will repeatedly win. Stay on board. Just don't go away this Saturday.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 05:30am
@ Sarah who made u a especiality on cricket... Do u know how bat ball looks like lol..... Ian is correct u will see soon my dear friend.....
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 05:33am
@Hamza Khan it was greg chappell who finished off irfan pathan. Not Ian chappell.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 06:15am
I respectfully disagree with Chappel. I believe that Afridi's performance squarely depends on how Pak's top order performs. If Sharjeel, Shehzad, and Hafiz play the way they did against Bangladesh, Afridi will certainly promote himself again and destroy any opposition. The reason being, as Chappel indicated in his earlier interview, if a foundation is set by the top order, Afridi will be relaxed, and Relaxed Afridi is a dangerous thing :).
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 06:21am
Chappell, Afridi will be fine. Don't worry
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 06:43am
Afridi is on fire and when he is under pressure he will really fire on all cylinders. Afridi and Gayle are the stars of this world cup.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 08:27am
Ian is right. Afridi might suceed against India and other subcontinental teams though. But he will find it tough against Aussies and SA..
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 08:31am
Pakistan starts favorite against India even if slightly so..India's loss against kiwis coupled with Eden Garden record for Pak, give the latter an edge. India will have to play it's heart out and hope that the pitch doesn't turn out like Nagpur! That wicket was a disgrace and unplayable for team batting second..though they still should have fought back better..
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 08:57am
Ian Chappell, what does he know? He ruined several good players career in India during his coaching day, Irfan, Ganguli and he also wanted tnadulker and Dravid to retire many years ago and was proven wrong.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 09:07am
Cricket is a game of technique.
Shahid Afridi lacks batting technique.
He can not be consistent.
Even a common man understands it. But then, hope is the best way at this time for Pakistan.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 09:35am
Just win from India. That's all.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 09:36am
@Mahendra if any one who takes us through, it will be Shezad, Hafeez and Shoaib Malik as well as Amir bowling. Afridi is a let down, on and off the pitch.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 10:11am
What oldman Ian is saying when we face Aussies. Well he should have waited few more days to find out. One does not expect such remarks from a seasoned formar cricketer. But he is 75 years old like most of us.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 10:28am
Afridi haters sounds like a propaganda term. Pakistani cricket fans are only haters of Afridi's dismal performance and our losing streak under his captaincy. If Afridi starts captaining like Dhoni or performs like he performed against BD, we would all love him. No one has anything personal against Afridi. We are just sick of losing and being a cricket joke of the world.
We should take this one win against BD to its face value and not hype it. If this BD win is solely what we care about, then there is no difference between us and Netherlands or Omans of the world cause only they would settle for beating BD.
Bottomline, win us a cup, beat India and fight like we used to or just even get us to finals, and we will love you Afridi.. even you Shehzad!
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 10:33am
@abid :: Afridi is not a trustworthy team player or leader. He has no leadership qualities as he reflected during his entire career. I wish Pakistan best of wishes yet for 19 balls stay at pitch you can under-estimate standards maintained by Australia, Newzland and India for years.
It is not possible to teach an old man, now PCB should invest grooming new talent for real job. A comedian can play a serious role for a change but he will always be a comedian. Afridi will never be remembered as a good captain he will always be remembered as a brutal butcher batsman.
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 10:37am
Bangladesh bowling is very ordinary they don't tested the pakistani batting at any stage otherwise the things might be different
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 10:44am
Ian does make sense most of the time. I saw all of his videos and he does not talk random stuff like Ramiz does.
Having said that, Ian WAS wrong about India getting into semis.. :)
Recommend
0
Mar 18, 2016 11:47am
@a ali Loved reading your comment
Recommend
0
Mar 19, 2016 04:14pm
I support fully to Pakistani team, players will try to show good combination of batting and bowling. If Pakistan win the toss and bat first with 200 plus on board, India will be defeated in Kolcatta.
Imran Khan's presence with team before match can make huge difference to give them new direction to how defeat Indians on their soil.
Recommend
0
Mar 19, 2016 07:22pm
Agreed - he has been decoded by all big teams a while ago and he should know that by looking at his batting record in recent years...
Recommend
0
Mar 20, 2016 01:46am
@Divergence LoL you mean to say Pakistani team treats the matches frivolously.
Recommend
0
Mar 20, 2016 10:57am
well hope every Pakistanis got their answer from India. ..got batting first but put out a small total without reading pitch correctly. .well as victory over rank 10 bangladesh is not a big thing...but victory over teams with higher ranks consistently is a sign of real champion
Recommend
0
