Why So Much Love For Shahid Afridi?

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison 1. Quote me his average for the last 3 years and furthermore, quote me his average in international world tournaments. You may call Afridi crap because of his average, but he is the definition of a big game player. 2. Cricket is completely different. There is a SYSTEM in cricket whereby punishments are meted out for indiscretions which may be classified as cheating in your books, but are minor indiscretions as per the law of the sport. What about consistent 'cheaters' who disobey the laws of the game by not playing in accordance with the required over-rate? You may say 'oh ball tampering is a vastly more serious offence' ... is it really? AT ALL? Afridi got a TWO match ban for ball tampering. Afridi has served his punishments and does not deserve to carry this false stigma associated with the word 'cheater' 3. As above, he does not bat for himself, he cannot literally control himself. Drop him for his batting but he's our best bowler right now. By a DISTANCE. You argued somewhere up there in that babble that he should be batting number 11 instead of number 8 ... again, illogical reasoning given he averages much more than anybody batting below him and has the propensity to score big runs from time to time.

1. I'm not going to quote anything, you go do your own quoting.

2. So just because it's cricket cheating and acting dishonestly should be treated differently? If anything all you're trying to do is defend Afridi and his cheating. It's more a reflection of you and your character than him. I'm glad there are some people out there who agree with me that any form of cheating should be handled harshly.

3. If he can't control himself why is he in the team? I could say the same of Razzaq, Razzaq gets out because he can't control himself. Farhat got out for 10-12 all the time because he couldn't control himself. Misbah keeps playing slow innings because he can't control himself.

People outside of Pakistan laugh and mock us for these very things. It's because of the likes of Afridi that Pakistanis all over the world are called cheats. You don't hear anyone calling the Sri Lankan's cheats or the NZ players, but it's only our team. Until we set an example and get rid of our cheats ourselves, that reputation will remain.

[No_Username]

^You know why some people call us cheat.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison You see it would be unreasonable to assume he cannot control himself if he attempting to hit the moon once every 10 or so innings. But he goes for the moon-shot nearly every innings, and as you can see by his reactions (more recently, as captain), he feels bad when he does play those shots and get out. And LOL you're going against your own logic there, he played 2/400 innings where he was calm and suddenly you believe that he can play calmly; can you not see how your reasoning is hypocritical?

You cannot, YOU SIMPLY CANNOT excuse someone by saying "THEY CAN'T CONTROL THEMSELF".

Everyone CAN control themselves, it's a case of whether you choose to or not and Afridi chooses not to control himself. His reactions are not of regret, he smiles and laughs it off as if it's nothing. Did you see the post match interview? He laughed at his mode of dismissal as if it's perfectly acceptable. He doesn't feel bad, he never has, if anyone feels bad about something, they go and make sure it doesn't happen again. He is a human being and ONLY he is in control of himself, no one else is.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by No_Username ^You know why some people call us cheat.

We've been called cheats long before the trio were caught last year. It's not a recent or a new thing.

[Kray_jackson7]

Why are you still babbling on about 'cheat this and cheat that' i have said before make a big thread against imran khan and waqar younis saying they should never have played for pakista they should have been banned, why not make a thread saying pakistan should surrender the 1992 world cup because they captain was a 'cheat' and so were some of the players. also make a thread demanding wasim akram loses any wickets he got after 94/96 because he match fixed.

[Poison]

1. It's your burden to prove he is a crap bowler given you've already quoted his career average. I'm not bothered because I recognise he's Shane Warne re-incarnate.

3. HE IS A BOWLER WHO BATS AT NUMBER EIGHT

And no, Afridi is the only guy people in Australia turn up to see when we play here. They are the only they respect. Why do they respect him you say? Because he is a BIG GAME PLAYER, he delivers when the team most needs it. I don't know what reputation you're talking about really. If anything, the reputation will be forever tainted by 'those three' rather than someone like Afridi.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison Because he is a BIG GAME PLAYER, he delivers when the team most needs it. I don't know what reputation you're talking about really. If anything, the reputation will be forever tainted by 'those three' rather than someone like Afridi.

Big game player?

WC 99 Final, where was Afridi?

2003 WC vs India, where was Afridi?

WC 2007 vs India 2 times, where was Afridi?

WC 2011 vs India, where was Afridi?

Pakistan has had a bad reputation for as long as I can remember. It's not just Afridi's fault, in fact he's a minor culprit in the bigger scheme of thing, but he has contributed. Most of the damage was done by former players who admitted to cheating and were proud of their accomplishments.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by gameovais You cannot, YOU SIMPLY CANNOT excuse someone by saying "THEY CAN'T CONTROL THEMSELF". Everyone CAN control themselves, it's a case of whether you choose to or not and Afridi chooses not to control himself. His reactions are not of regret, he smiles and laughs it off as if it's nothing. Did you see the post match interview? He laughed at his mode of dismissal as if it's perfectly acceptable. He doesn't feel bad, he never has, if anyone feels bad about something, they go and make sure it doesn't happen again. He is a human being and ONLY he is in control of himself, no one else is.

He doesnt feel bad? the man who was crying after the semi-final loss doesnt care about pakistan team losing or not.
They is a video of afridi scoring 122 and still walking off angry at himself for getting out despite the match already being lost. This is a man who has played his heart out for pakistan and anyone who thinks differently shouldnt bother watching cricket while he plays

[Poison]

Originally Posted by gameovais Big game player? WC 99 Final, where was Afridi? 2003 WC vs India, where was Afridi? WC 2007 vs India 2 times, where was Afridi? WC 2011 vs India, where was Afridi? Pakistan has had a bad reputation for as long as I can remember. It's not just Afridi's fault, in fact he's a minor culprit in the bigger scheme of thing, but he has contributed. Most of the damage was done by former players who admitted to cheating and were proud of their accomplishments.

This is not about 'where he was when this happened blah blah blah'. It is about the opinion of Shahid Afridi around the world. And I can safely say that most Australian fans are as enthralled by Afridi as they've ever been by any Pakistani cricketer. Wasim and Shoaib (probably until the last tour) were probably the other two cricketers Aussies really respected.

Why have you changed your opinion from 'people the likes of Afridi have given us the cheaters tag' to 'a minor culprit'. He's less than a minor culprit, he's the guy who everyone enjoys watching and gives us a GOOD REPUTATION above all.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by gameovais Big game player? WC 99 Final, where was Afridi? Out of form the whole tournament and picked ahead of Moyo everyone knows why... 2003 WC vs India, where was Afridi? big game? didnt our whole team play rubbish and we were knocked out in group stages? WC 2007 vs India 2 times, where was Afridi? Picking up the player of the tournament i believe WC 2011 vs India, where was Afridi? A wicket, caught tendulkar when no one else had, had tendu dropped off his bowling 3 times.

[No_Username]

I repeat myself:

OP should be ignored, he is spreading hate around the world and is asking us to hate a player.

We don't want to, now live with it!

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK He probably has more 'star power' and more fans now than all the other 10 current team blokes put together.

Isn't that the saddest thing about it all? That the Indians have Dhoni to lead them, someone who is clean and hasn't cheated. The Windies have Darren Sammy and in the recent past Gayle, the NZ guys have Vettori and and Taylor, SA have Smith, Eng with Strauss and Collingwood, but we Pakistan have a captain who is a cheat who plays in such a reckless manner.

I't s very sad, really sad the way my fellow Pakistanis think. They would rather have dishonest and reckless players like Afridi, than have honest hard working guys like Yasir Arafat and Rao Iftikhar, who would unlikely win many games with, but at least have an honest team.

[Poison]

And what do you mean by WC 2007? Afridi played 1 game in that world cup. In 2003 he got 1/45 off 9 and batted after the 41st over. If everyone bowled like Afridi we would've won that match. In this WC he bowled like a legend and removed Tendulkar when it seemed everyone in the team was trying very hard to give him a nice game in front of his home crowd. He had played less than 50 games in WC 99.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison Why have you changed your opinion from 'people the likes of Afridi have given us the cheaters tag' to 'a minor culprit'. He's less than a minor culprit, he's the guy who everyone enjoys watching and gives us a GOOD REPUTATION above all.

Yeh, his cheating has given us a good reputation. I'm very proud of Afridi, very proud I was when he put the cricket ball in his mouth, made me want to stand up and sing the national anthem.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by No_Username I repeat myself: OP should be ignored, he is spreading hate around the world and is asking us to hate a player. We don't want to, now live with it!

I kmow but im in garden on laptop enjoying the sun and got hours to kill before the footy comes on.

[Poison]

Originally Posted by gameovais I't s very sad, really sad the way my fellow Pakistanis think. They would rather have dishonest and reckless players like Afridi, than have honest hard working guys like Yasir Arafat and Rao Iftikhar, who would unlikely win many games with, but at least have an honest team.

Backward and extremely pessimistic view, not exactly surprising. Pakistan are mercurial, Sir Rao is the polar opposite definition of Pakistan cricket. Comes back to my original point that Afridi is the definition of Pakistan cricket. I don't like how everyone likes comparing players to each other, I would take Afridi any day of the week over a bland useless player like Vettori. Or even Collingwood.

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by Poison 1. It's your burden to prove he is a crap bowler given you've already quoted his career average. I'm not bothered because I recognise he's Shane Warne re-incarnate.

In fine form, I see.

Reincarnation is unIslamic though

And Warney is still alive?

Originally Posted by Poison And no, Afridi is the only guy people in Australia turn up to see when we play here. They are the only they respect.

Not just in Australia. That's doubly true in Pakistan ie at home. And triply true in the UAE, ie our adopted home.

And probably wherever else we play.

He arguably has more 'star power' and more fans now than all the other 10 current team blokes put together!

20 years from now when people talk about the current Pak team, about the "class of 2010", they will talk about match fixing and the controversies and the keeper who ran away and the drugs busts...but when they talk about 'stars' and shining lights, they will not dwell on Azhar Ali or Misbah ul Haq or Tanveer Ahmad or Saeed Ajmal or Abdur Rahman or even Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul.

They will talk about and remember Afridi.

When most of us are old Inshallah, we will not tell our grand-kids about the excitement we got from seeing Misbah bat and how we would leave work early, miss dinner or travel home just to see a blinding Misbah master-piece of 40 not out from 93 balls on a flat track.

No. Instead, we will talk about Afridi at Kanpur with the bat or Afridi at Bangalore with both bat and ball or Afridi with the ball at countless matches.

Sure, Afridi is a flawed cricketer - who isn't? Sometimes, he can be downright infuriating. But he's the captain of Pakistan, the biggest star in our team, and mostly - someone we'd rather have in our team than in the opposing team.

Sure, he is no Inzi as a captain or as a performer, and certainly no Yousuf or Younis as a Test player, but in case we didn't notice, none of those guys are around in LOIs any more [or if they are, they're not fit enough]. Neither is Imran Khan or Javed Miandad.

So why all this hate for the one guy who's probably our only remaining 'star'? The charisma and style quotient in the current team is pretty low anyway - with Akhtar, Amir, Butt and Yousuf gone, Afridi is the ONLY player who not only has a charismatic personality or genuine cricketing style, he has both! (Of course, there's Umar Akmal as the one hope for the future, in the charisma and cricketing style stakes)

Is it any surprise then that Afridi is the most loved current Pak player?

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by gameovais Yeh, his cheating has given us a good reputation. I'm very proud of Afridi, very proud I was when he put the cricket ball in his mouth, made me want to stand up and sing the national anthem.

Why after all your arguments are you only clinging onto this cheating one now? defeated?

Like i said before start the thread on imran khan discrediting him and saying its a shame a cheat lead pakistan, and one on wasim saying a match fixer was our captain. and one on waqar saying a cheat lead us. Why dont you make them?

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by makaveli786 He doesnt feel bad? the man who was crying after the semi-final loss doesnt care about pakistan team losing or not. They is a video of afridi scoring 122 and still walking off angry at himself for getting out despite the match already being lost. This is a man who has played his heart out for pakistan and anyone who thinks differently shouldnt bother watching cricket while he plays

Dude, showing a sad face after gifting your wicket away might win over his fans, but the question we want to know is, if he really feels bad and he must have many times because he's kept doing it for 15 years, why he doesn't go about stopping it? Why must we put up with his constant slogs followed by sad faces? The sad faces and anger is pretty pointless if you're going to be doing it every time, which he has for years.

[Poison]

Originally Posted by gameovais Yeh, his cheating has given us a good reputation. I'm very proud of Afridi, very proud I was when he put the cricket ball in his mouth, made me want to stand up and sing the national anthem.

Nice backtracking friend. We're not talking about your opinion, it matters very little in the context. It's clear you hold some type of severe hatred within the depths of your heart for Afridi given you've started this thread are contributing rather aggressively.

[Kray_jackson7]

@ shehryarK Excellent. brilliant post.

[Poison]

Originally Posted by gameovais Dude, showing a sad face after gifting your wicket away might win over his fans, but the question we want to know is, if he really feels bad and he must have many times because he's kept doing it for 15 years, why he doesn't go about stopping it? Why must we put up with his constant slogs followed by sad faces? The sad faces and anger is pretty pointless if you're going to be doing it every time, which he has for years.

HE CANNOT LITERALLY CONTROL HIMSELF. I don't know how many times this needs to be said, this thread is going around in circles and circles. But I like it.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison Comes back to my original point that Afridi is the definition of Pakistan cricket. I don't like how everyone likes comparing players to each other, I would take Afridi any day of the week over a bland useless player like Vettori. Or even Collingwood.

Again point proven, Afridi (a cheat and a selfish coward) is the face of Pakistan cricket? Makes me feel very proud to know that we have him as an icon.

So in simple terms, you don't mind cheats, in fact prefer them to honest and more decent players? You'd prefer winning by cheating I'm guessing? As a pose to losing honestly?

[Poison]

Excellent post ShehryarK ... I think people just really take themselves too seriously ... cricket is a sport and sport is by definition a form of entertainment ... need to stop getting so worked up, really.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison HE CANNOT LITERALLY CONTROL HIMSELF. I don't know how many times this needs to be said, this thread is going around in circles and circles. But I like it.

That's got to be the worst argument in this entire thread.

If Afridi can't control his own mind and body, then who can?

[Poison]

Originally Posted by gameovais Again point proven, Afridi (a cheat and a selfish coward) is the face of Pakistan cricket? Makes me feel very proud to know that we have him as an icon. So in simple terms, you don't mind cheats, in fact prefer them to honest and more decent players? You'd prefer winning by cheating I'm guessing? As a pose to losing honestly?

Where have I condoned Afridi's actions in havin' a chomp? I will admit it made me laugh for a very considerable period of time, but of course it was an act of cheating, for which HE HAS SERVED HIS PUNISHMENT. Have you ever thought that perhaps you are in fact of the minority and are in fact wrong in not liking Afridi? I see all these posts saying 'oh he is bad I don't know why everyone likes him' ... it is YOUR flaw.

[No_Username]

Originally Posted by gameovais Again point proven, Afridi (a cheat and a selfish coward) is the face of Pakistan cricket? Makes me feel very proud to know that we have him as an icon. So in simple terms, you don't mind cheats, in fact prefer them to honest and more decent players? You'd prefer winning by cheating I'm guessing? As a pose to losing honestly?

Okay, since you don't want cheats , lets forget all of them:

1992 World Cup-Imran Khan

2009 T20 World Cup-Afridi

Wasim Akrams brilliance

Mohammad Amirs Talent

100 of 37 balls

32 runs in a over

Salman Butt's class

Mohammad Asif's skilfull work with the ball


Right?

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by ShehryarK Is it any surprise then that Afridi is the most loved current Pak player?

How do you feel when someone mentions that he bit the ball, how do you feel when everytime Pakistan are in a position to win the game, he throws his wicket away without a care in the world?

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison it is YOUR flaw.

My flaw is to want players who are honest and try their hardest for Pakistan. My flaw is to want players who "can control themselves".

[Poison]

Originally Posted by gameovais That's got to be the worst argument in this entire thread. If Afridi can't control his own mind and body, then who can?

Nobody, ask any of his coaches.

I think this thread should have been closed on page 1, Dr Khan summed it up perfectly -

Afridi is a kind of person you either love or love to hate. There is no in-between.

Love him or hate him, I don't think you can 'convert' anyone from either side.

[Poison]

Anyways I'm out - assignment calling. I don't have anything against you personally G-O, it's just how I argue, don't take it badly.

[No_Username]

Originally Posted by No_Username Okay, since you don't want cheats , lets forget all of them: 1992 World Cup-Imran Khan 2009 T20 World Cup-Afridi Wasim Akrams brilliance Mohammad Amirs Talent 100 of 37 balls 32 runs in a over Salman Butt's class Mohammad Asif's skilfull work with the ball Right?

I want an answer to this,are you willing to forget them as they are all achieved/ done by cheats?

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison Nobody, ask any of his coaches.

So it's the job of a coach to tell a human being how to control their emotions? Why is it that every other human being can control themselves? Why is it that every other sportsman can control themselves?

Afridi is to blame for his dismisalls, no one else is. Please don't try to and take the blame away from him. He is the one out there batting and he is the one out there playing those horrendous slogs. No coach ever tells their players to go out there and slog like a maniac, Afridi chooses to do it, or alternatively, Afridi cannot stop himself from doing it, so he is to blame.

[Poison]

I would equate his mental processes to Mike Tyson when he goes out to bat.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Poison I would equate his mental processes to Mike Tyson when he goes out to bat.

Which is why if he is in the team (I've given the reasons why I don't think he should be) he should be at 11. At least the lesser skilled guys like Junaid and Ajmal will play sensibly and will be able to control themselves out there.

[ShehryarK]

Originally Posted by Poison Excellent post ShehryarK ... I think people just really take themselves too seriously ... cricket is a sport and sport is by definition a form of entertainment ... need to stop getting so worked up, really.

Exactly.

In general, we watch sport to be entertained and professional sport exists for entertainment, not as an 'academic' exercise. Afridi is an entertainer par excellence.

Cricket, in particular, has been about entertainment for a hundred years. The first cricketing superstar, Baba Jee Grace , was all about entertaining - even through some downright gamesmanship and occasional cheating.

is in good company.

Originally Posted by gameovais How do you feel when someone mentions that he bit the ball

Nobody but Indian trolls or race-baiters mention that these days.

However, let's assume someone sensible and decent feels it relevant to mention that fact as a salient point of argument today. If they do, I'll tell them that nobody, certainly no human, is perfect - that we all make mistakes, and what matters is not that we never make a mistake, but how we learn from it, and whether we are truly sorry and repentant for it, or are we still denying it and claiming to be innocent.

Afridi's mistakes are not worse than those of many other cricketers, eg Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib, Akhtar, Atherton, Tendulkar, Dravid, Holding, Lillee etc etc.

Hence, if someone was singling out Afridi for opprobrium and giving a free-pass to all these other gents, I would question their motives and wonder why they were out to malign the current Pakistan captain to the exclusion of all else.

Originally Posted by gameovais how do you feel when everytime Pakistan are in a position to win the game, he throws his wicket away without a care in the world?

I find that infuriating. However, he doesn't do that "everytime".

[amirfanforlife]

Originally Posted by miandadrules Why use different criteria? When he quit the Test team it was for the betterment of the team and not because that's the way he is and can't handle pressure. When he hits the ball in the air, it's just the way he is and not necessarily for the betterment for the team. Can you see where I would have an issue with the selectivity. A semi-final birth in nice but should we be celebrating it? Shoaib Malik took us to a final once, I don't see many singing and dancing about that (thankfully). Read my posts, I want him in the team and as One-day captain. But I'm not going to give him a free pass to play irresponsibly, and have his fans make him out to be somebody he is not.

Are you deliberately acting ignorant?

ODI cricket and Test cricket are two different things. It's almost like normal for Afridi to hit a 4 and a 6 and then get out in ODI's. (Although it doesn't happen all the time) I'm used to it, and I'm sure some others are as well. When Afridi comes on to play, everyone knows he isn't going to last for long.
Test cricket lasts for days and Afridi has to play slightly like Misbah, and I think we all know he can't do that. He just can't do it. So instead of hogging up that place, he gave it up to someone who may be able to do a better job. My argument being - how does that make him a coward?

If he couldn't handle pressure, he would have quit captaincy for the ODI team when our whole team was in a mess!
Have you forgotten how he played a major role in bringing our team together after the horrendous time Pak cricket went through? And then you say he can't handle pressure, pffft.

I haven't asked anyone to celebrate us making it to the semi-finals. The thing is, most people wouldn't have expected us to make it there, and when I went to school the next day - I was able to say to the England supporters, we got way ahead of you. This isn't me being cocky, it's my response to them calling us cheaters. Do you see why I'm proud of what he's done?

I do understand your point, but I'm not making him out to be somebody he isn't. I'm just saying he isn't a coward, and seriously - I'm not a BIG fan of his, but he captains the team I support, therefore I support him and when people say stupid things about him, I'm not gonna support em.

[taxzu]

GO, do you know that afridi danced on the pitch after consultation with younis khan to whom you have credited as honest player. Infact yk gave his approval to do so. And yk has admitted it on tv.
And by the way there is difference between being dishonest and being cheat. Afridi might be cheat but he is not dishonest. And in case of ball biting incident it was pure stupidity not cheating because cheating is something which you do secretly not in front of 30 cameras.

[Fireworks11]

Originally Posted by miandadrules So you can understand when people say he puts himself ahead of the team.

I can understand why people think that, an impression predominantly generated by his mindless slogging. As ever, his aggression will be difficult to curb and you need to look at the bigger picture when it comes to Afridi.

[Prince_Pathan]

great post sheryar

seems like ive missed alot of afridi sledging since i went to sleep lol


i did hear something once that afridi did say when rana asked him what are you doing biting the ball...as ive read and some people are still on about it...

i think he said ch****o main ye aap ke liye kar raha hoon...not sure how accurate that is but apparantly he said it...by all means if im wrong delete this post


theres a difference in trying to make your team win...than well i dont know selling out your entire countries fans, hopes and aspirations and making cheap money!

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by amirfanforlife (Although it doesn't happen all the time) I'm used to it, and I'm sure some others are as well. When Afridi comes on to play, everyone knows he isn't going to last for long. Test cricket lasts for days and Afridi has to play slightly like Misbah, and I think we all know he can't do that. He just can't do it. So instead of hogging up that place, he gave it up to someone who may be able to do a better job. My argument being - how does that make him a coward?

It happens almost all the time. It happens 90% of the time, 9 out of 10 times Afridi bats he's throwing his wicket away.

It's unaccpetable, it simply cannot be allowed. How long must we put up with his brainless slogging. Pakistan will get nowhere with a captain who plays in such an irresponsible manner.

Afridi shouldn't have come back for that one test either. In fact it would have been better if he stayed away from test cricket but coming back and leaving after 1 game? That in my opinion is very selfish and he should not be hailed as a hero for walking away. He did the wrong thing, he didn't even try, that's the worst part of it all, he didn't even try to make an effort. That one test and Afridi's role is a disgrace. No one would have been that angry if he had played sensibly and got out to a good ball, but in both innings he once again thought he was 10 times better than the bowler, showed no respect for them, had another brain fart.

It's cowardly because instead of satung out there and trying to fight, he ran off. All these fans of Afridi keep pulling out his ODI performances to back their case, but I'm afraid ODI and T20 players are not real cricketers. Until you perform in test cricket you can never be called a legend.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Prince_Pathan theres a difference in trying to make your team win...than well i dont know selling out your entire countries fans, hopes and aspirations and making cheap money!

Another person who is proud of Afridi's antics it seems.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by taxzu GO, do you know that afridi danced on the pitch after consultation with younis khan to whom you have credited as honest player. Infact yk gave his approval to do so. And yk has admitted it on tv. And by the way there is difference between being dishonest and being cheat. Afridi might be cheat but he is not dishonest. And in case of ball biting incident it was pure stupidity not cheating because cheating is something which you do secretly not in front of 30 cameras.

If Younis Khan advised him to do it, it's still Afridi's fault. Afridi danced on the wicket not Younis Khan. Would Afridi jump off a bridge to his death if Younis asked him to?

Now if Younis did tell him, he is a disgrace too, but the big word is if. Whether Younis told him to or not, Afridi did and the blame lies only with him.

[zaid65]

Originally Posted by gameovais Big game player? WC 99 Final, where was Afridi? 2003 WC vs India, where was Afridi? WC 2007 vs India 2 times, where was Afridi? T20 world cup vs Australia semi final 2010 WC 2011 vs India, where was Afridi? Pakistan has had a bad reputation for as long as I can remember. It's not just Afridi's fault, in fact he's a minor culprit in the bigger scheme of thing, but he has contributed. Most of the damage was done by former players who admitted to cheating and were proud of their accomplishments.

You missed the T20 SF of 2010, which I just added and Mr. cheat was in fact captain in the match.

[zaid65]

20 years from now when people talk about the current Pak team, about the "class of 2010", they will talk about match fixing and the controversies and the keeper who ran away and the drugs busts...but when they talk about 'stars' and shining lights, they will not dwell on Azhar Ali or Misbah ul Haq or Tanveer Ahmad or Saeed Ajmal or Abdur Rahman or even Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Hafeez and Umar Gul. They will talk about and remember Afridi.

So why all this hate for the one guy who's probably our only remaining 'star'? The charisma and style quotient in the current team is pretty low anyway - with Akhtar, Amir, Butt and Yousuf gone, Afridi is the ONLY player who not only has a charismatic personality or genuine cricketing style, he has both! (Of course, there's Umar Akmal as the one hope for the future, in the charisma and cricketing style stakes) Is it any surprise then that Afridi is the most loved current Pak player?

To summerise above two posts, Afridi is not a genuine hero but he is hero by default.

[zaid65]

Originally Posted by taxzu GO, do you know that afridi danced on the pitch after consultation with younis khan to whom you have credited as honest player. Infact yk gave his approval to do so. And yk has admitted it on tv. And by the way there is difference between being dishonest and being cheat. Afridi might be cheat but he is not dishonest. And in case of ball biting incident it was pure stupidity not cheating because cheating is something which you do secretly not in front of 30 cameras.

So you are trying to say that ball biting incident was not cheating because he did in front of 30 cameras, why did he lie to defend his action later in the press conference? Didn't he make up the BS argument that he was trying to smell the ball?

Not only he is a cheater but he is a proven liar.

[zaid65]

Just an interesting read for some intellectuals

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition, DSM IV-TR = 301.7, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines antisocial personality disorder (in Axis II Cluster B) as:[1]

A) There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring for as long as either childhood, or in the case of many who are influenced by environmental factors, around age 15, as indicated by three or more of the following:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest;
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure;
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead;
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults;
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others;
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations;
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another;

B) The individual is at least 18 years of age.
C) There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years.
D) The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.

PS: Anti-social personality is a medical term for sociopath people.

[Kray_jackson7]

I love how now that they have been ripped for everything else all their attacks are based on 'cheating' why not open up a thread against imran khan, wasim, waqar and say pak should not have won the 1992 world cup because the captain was a cheat?

[Watsupdoc]

Originally Posted by zaid65 Just an interesting read for some intellectuals The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth edition, DSM IV-TR = 301.7, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines antisocial personality disorder (in Axis II Cluster B) as:[1] A) There is a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring for as long as either childhood, or in the case of many who are influenced by environmental factors, around age 15, as indicated by three or more of the following: 1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest; 2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeatedly lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure; 3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead; 4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults; 5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others; 6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain consistent work behavior or honor financial obligations; 7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another; B) The individual is at least 18 years of age. C) There is evidence of conduct disorder with onset before age 15 years. D) The occurrence of antisocial behavior is not exclusively during the course of schizophrenia or a manic episode.

Great Post!

[Poison]

lol watsupdoc, you got me there for a second

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by makaveli786 I love how now that they have been ripped for everything else all their attacks are based on 'cheating' why not open up a thread against imran khan, wasim, waqar and say pak should not have won the 1992 world cup because the captain was a cheat?

Dude the others aren't currently playing, thankfully they've retired, some disgracefully some honourably, but the bottom line is they're all gone. Afridi isn't and that's why this thread is open.

You seem very eager to discuss the cheating of other players, so WHY DON'T YOU open a new thread about them? Why not keep this thread about Afridi, it's only about him, no one else.

[zaid65]

Originally Posted by Poison lol watsupdoc, you got me there for a second

I think he is embarrassed and trying to hide his face after reading the fact.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by gameovais Dude the others aren't currently playing, thankfully they've retired, some disgracefully some honourably, but the bottom line is they're all gone. Afridi isn't and that's why this thread is open. You seem very eager to discuss the cheating of other players, so WHY DON'T YOU open a new thread about them? Why not keep this thread about Afridi, it's only about him, no one else.

Yes they are gone, but since this OP is showing how much he hates cheating i really think he should open the thread i told him, the reason he is not opening it because he knows what the reactions will be.
Why am i not opening it? because i know everyone makes mistakes, i am not biting ( ) off Afridis head because he cheated because i myself have cheated in matches. in the heat of the moment you do alot of stupid things that you regret later but when doing them you dont really think about the consequences. only form of cheating i think should be unforgivable is match-fixing. as for ball tampering, claiming catches, not walking i think they are just heat of the moment things.

[amirfanforlife]

Originally Posted by gameovais It happens almost all the time. It happens 90% of the time, 9 out of 10 times Afridi bats he's throwing his wicket away. It's unaccpetable, it simply cannot be allowed. How long must we put up with his brainless slogging. Pakistan will get nowhere with a captain who plays in such an irresponsible manner. Afridi shouldn't have come back for that one test either. In fact it would have been better if he stayed away from test cricket but coming back and leaving after 1 game? That in my opinion is very selfish and he should not be hailed as a hero for walking away. He did the wrong thing, he didn't even try, that's the worst part of it all, he didn't even try to make an effort. That one test and Afridi's role is a disgrace. No one would have been that angry if he had played sensibly and got out to a good ball, but in both innings he once again thought he was 10 times better than the bowler, showed no respect for them, had another brain fart. It's cowardly because instead of satung out there and trying to fight, he ran off. All these fans of Afridi keep pulling out his ODI performances to back their case, but I'm afraid ODI and T20 players are not real cricketers. Until you perform in test cricket you can never be called a legend.

And we're back to square one again...

You didn't bother replying to me earlier on, and all you're doing now is repeating yourself over and over again, but just in a different way. And I'll be honest, I cbf to repeat myself.

Seems like there is no point arguing with someone who seems to have one thing stuck in his head.

kthanksbye.

[Prince_Pathan]

Originally Posted by gameovais Another person who is proud of Afridi's antics it seems.

no not proud...but he got banned, he served his ban

came back to lead the team again!

there was no gain for afridi in it...did he get paid? no he got shamed! even by his family...which i hear is a strict pathan household...nothing is worse than your dads tears! the man suffered for it and you can genuinly tell...hes even curbed his anger since then on the cricket pitch...

[Tera Gawaandi]

There are lotsa other methods to tamper cricket ball, Afridi is Int. player he has first hand experience abt slow-mo, and other advanced camera work from all angles. Was it intentional?, he wanted to be caught Live? It seems Spot fixing type dubious intentional move from Afridi! You can watch video again, his body language was not to act innocent while cheating, which is normal human reaction, its instict behavior or innate impulse, instead he is doing all like paid actor.

[Prince_Pathan]

so now afridi is a spot fixer too? this would immensely please gameovais and miandadrules

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Prince_Pathan so now afridi is a spot fixer too? this would immensely please gameovais and miandadrules

It would only please me if it led to Afridi being thrown out of Pakistani cricket.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by gameovais It would only please me if it led to Afridi being thrown out of Pakistani cricket.

Are you hurt because you loved him or because you were thinking of a big pay day?

[miandadrules]

Originally Posted by Prince_Pathan so now afridi is a spot fixer too? this would immensely please gameovais and miandadrules

Why would it please me?

Where have I even suggested that he shouldn't be in the team?

Where have I suggested that he shouldn't be captain?

My point all along is that he shouldn't be given a free-pass and be held accountable for his performance i.e. with his batting.

I have not attacked Afridi nor his morals. I questioned his "bottle" as from what I can gauge he panics under pressure.

This only reinforces my opinion that his die hard fans see what they want to see, hence making it difficult to give a critical account of him as a player.

Just because I have been critical of an aspect of his game doesn't make me a hater. A little objectivity from Afridi fans might go along way.

[Prince_Pathan]

neither of you guys seem to care about all his positives...

just all negativity

i am die hard but im not biased!

[miandadrules]

Originally Posted by Prince_Pathan neither of you guys seem to care about all his positives... just all negativity i am die hard but im not biased!

So wanting him to be captain is negative?

Wanting him in the team is a negative?

But I'm not going to ignore clear faults that need to be addressed. That's called giving him a free-ride and I would never do that at the expense of Pakistan.

I would get no pleasure in any Pakistani being caught in match-fixing.

Whether you like it or not, we as Pakistanis have a vested interested in each others success. Anything negative about a Pakistani or Pakistan is reflected on me and vice versa.

[Prince_Pathan]

fine fair enough miandadrules

the other guy is hellbent however to slate afridi...wants him out of the team...

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Prince_Pathan fine fair enough miandadrules the other guy is hellbent however to slate afridi...wants him out of the team...

The other guy is G.O. and yes I will continue to slate Afridi, whereas others are willing to overlook his many flaws and bat attributes by his bowling performances and sporadic hitting displays, I am not.

I want a clean Pakistan cricket team, I want players who have no bad history and yes there are players in Pakistan cricket who have no bad traits, even if they have far less skill.

I told you before I used to like Afridi when I was younger, I used to overlook his selfish displays, but there comes a time where winning is more important than entertainment.

[kamz]

woww some serious hate going on here........ by the way shehryar that was a great post...........

by the way people who call him a cheat, he got puinished for it and he served his punishment........... Warney and Waugh got fined and people moved on............ I think its time to move on from the ball biting or pitch tampering incident.

Get over with it whether we can change the captain or sack him from the team completely.... he is the Captain at the moment and he will stay unless there is a massive defeat at a series level against Ireland and Zimbabwve or a 1st round humiliating exit in 2012 T20. So till then PCB aint going to listen to you blokes as the list of his fan following is far more longer than his haters

My suggestion dont frustrate yourself and focus on the future or the way every player says focus on the positives hehe

[No_Username]

Originally Posted by No_Username Okay, since you don't want cheats , lets forget all of them: 1992 World Cup-Imran Khan 2009 T20 World Cup-Afridi Wasim Akrams brilliance Mohammad Amirs Talent 100 of 37 balls 32 runs in a over Salman Butt's class Mohammad Asif's skilfull work with the ball Right?

Originally Posted by gameovais The other guy is G.O. and yes I will continue to slate Afridi, whereas others are willing to overlook his many flaws and bat attributes by his bowling performances and sporadic hitting displays, I am not. I want a clean Pakistan cricket team, I want players who have no bad history and yes there are players in Pakistan cricket who have no bad traits, even if they have far less skill. I told you before I used to like Afridi when I was younger, I used to overlook his selfish displays, but there comes a time where winning is more important than entertainment.

I am still waiting for the reply, if you have one.

[Looney]

gameovais - you certainly cannot beat Lala's fans , you should join them

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Looney gameovais - you certainly cannot beat Lala's fans , you should join them

I don't support cheats and selfish players. I support honest and hard working players. I support Pakistan, but I hope the cheats fail so they can be dropped and never return.

I will not change my view. Once you open your eyes and see what Afridi truly is, you never look back. You often wonder how blind you were before to not notice how mediocre he really is.

[zaid65]

Originally Posted by Tera Gawaandi There are lotsa other methods to tamper cricket ball, Afridi is Int. player he has first hand experience abt slow-mo, and other advanced camera work from all angles. Was it intentional?, he wanted to be caught Live? It seems Spot fixing type dubious intentional move from Afridi! You can watch video again, his body language was not to act innocent while cheating, which is normal human reaction, its instict behavior or innate impulse, instead he is doing all like paid actor.

Yes his ball eating behavior was quite suspicious and spot fixing should come to mind, especially when Zulqarnain Haider also mentioned in one of his interview to local newspaper of London that there was some other reason for Afridi's ball eating.

Most die hard Afridi fans consider Afridi as a clean and holy but they have no idea of his behind the door activities and obviously I am not here to disclose people's personal life but please don't be fool from him.

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by zaid65 Yes his ball eating behavior was quite suspicious and spot fixing should come to mind, especially when Zulqarnain Haider also mentioned in one of his interview to local newspaper of London that there was some other reason for Afridi's ball eating. Most die hard Afridi fans consider Afridi as a clean and holy but they have no idea of his behind the door activities and obviously I am not here to disclose people's personal life but please don't be fool from him.

and which bookie uncle of yours had odds on for the bet that afridi would bite the ball?

Amazing how you know more than the PCB and ICC put together. but then again you have 'sources'

[NO 1 AFRIDI FAN]

Originally Posted by zaid65 Yes his ball eating behavior was quite suspicious and spot fixing should come to mind, especially when Zulqarnain Haider also mentioned in one of his interview to local newspaper of London that there was some other reason for Afridi's ball eating. Most die hard Afridi fans consider Afridi as a clean and holy but they have no idea of his behind the door activities and obviously I am not here to disclose people's personal life but please don't be fool from him.

Haha, so betting goes on biting balls aswell now?
Well there is no point in arguing with you, you believe Zulqi

[Fireworks11]

This is getting out of control. It seems the Afridi haters dislike him with the same level of passion as how the lovers love him.

[SAF]

5 Pages in one day...the Power of Afridi folks.
then again, Afridi pictures thread has almost 10 pages..try that with a different player.

[NO 1 AFRIDI FAN]

^ As somebody already said: You hate him or love him, you just cant seem to stop talking about him

[Prince_Pathan]

yeah gameovais you might aswell just embrace the fact that

1. your not going to win this argument
2.nothing you have stated in the thread will diminish afridis fan following
3.hes here to stay for a long time
4. you love him deep down
5.

[gameovais]

Originally Posted by Prince_Pathan yeah gameovais you might aswell just embrace the fact that 1. your not going to win this argument 2.nothing you have stated in the thread will diminish afridis fan following 3.hes here to stay for a long time

If funny you should say that I haven't won this argument, this isn't an argument as such, it's stating with evidence, Afridi is a cheat, is selfish and/or a coward and he has fans despite these flaws.

His fans obviously rate Afridi as a player based purely on his T20 and ODI stats. They call him a legend despite him being a flop in tests.

He's not here for a long time. He's old and his fitness is really coming to an end, last year he somehow managed to bat more than 50 balls and he started to cramp. He hasn't often batted that long, lol Afridi has hardly ever batted for more than 50 balls, but anyways he'll be gone soon enough, will be good riddance.

[Prince_Pathan]

hes made 151 in a test match too!

flop in tests? man ill contradict that

hes technically been a much better player in test matches in comparison to t20s and odis..

matches : 27
innings : 48
runs :1716
Average : 36.51
Sr : 86.97
100s: 5
50s : 8


i dont think this classifies as a flop? do you?...



name me atleast 15 players...who were classified as greats who have a better average than this? AND PAKISTANI PLAYERS

[Kray_jackson7]

Originally Posted by gameovais If funny you should say that I haven't won this argument, this isn't an argument as such, it's stating with evidence, Afridi is a cheat, is selfish and/or a coward and he has fans despite these flaws. His fans obviously rate Afridi as a player based purely on his T20 and ODI stats. They call him a legend despite him being a flop in tests. He's not here for a long time. He's old and his fitness is really coming to an end, last year he somehow managed to bat more than 50 balls and he started to cramp. He hasn't often batted that long, lol Afridi has hardly ever batted for more than 50 balls, but anyways he'll be gone soon enough, will be good riddance.

Are you hurt because you loved him or because you were thinking of a big pay day?

[No_Username]

Originally Posted by gameovais If funny you should say that I haven't won this argument, this isn't an argument as such, it's stating with evidence, Afridi is a cheat, is selfish and/or a coward and he has fans despite these flaws. His fans obviously rate Afridi as a player based purely on his T20 and ODI stats. They call him a legend despite him being a flop in tests. He's not here for a long time. He's old and his fitness is really coming to an end, last year he somehow managed to bat more than 50 balls and he started to cramp. He hasn't often batted that long, lol Afridi has hardly ever batted for more than 50 balls, but anyways he'll be gone soon enough, will be good riddance.

Since when was Afridi a flop in tests?

[*sallu*]

His hair