A rogue talent

[patriot]

A rogue talent Jang News Karachi: How many players has Pakistan wasted over the years? How long is a piece of string? So many have come as quickly as they have gone, so many we have been bewitched by, and so many we have despaired of that we have become numb to the lost talent. For every Yasir Hameed, there is an Imran Nazir, a Mohammad Wasim or an Ali Naqvi, for every Mohammad Sami, a Mohammad Zahid or a Mohammad Akram. It doesn't seem to matter any more, for someone will always emerge and perhaps that is the way of things. But sometimes, every now and again, you stop and wonder how we have become so blasé about them. And instead of trying to understand why they failed, you try to appreciate what they can bring to the game, no matter how sparingly. Not many players who have exasperated as much as Afridi garner as much attention - even in disappointment there is eminence - but then Afridi has always had something about him, a sense of cricketing decadence in the gloriously neglected manner in which he has frittered his unique gifts. That he has done it so extravagantly, perversely, has enamoured him to some of us. The chances that he will suddenly discover the discipline and the judgment he has lacked for so long are slim. But should that overlook the allure - intermittent, as it is - that he possesses? There isn't much that is tangible about it, certainly not his career figures; but at its essence his game is an unbridled, almost raw, joy. Much of the charm of Afridi is of a rustic sort, he provides the romance in the game, and all good ones are doomed to failure anyway. There is such a foolish abandon in the way he bats that you wonder whether he has progressed from batting on a potholed street, protecting not stumps but mango crates. He is, in local parlance, a lapaytoo - a street-slogger, but with less technique and discretion. In the gallis their job is to swing at almost every ball, and that Afridi does it still at international level is absurd. He has had so many comebacks that he qualifies as a fully paid-up resident of the last-chance saloon, living fastidiously by its fatalistic ground rules. It isn't even the bits 'n' pieces of Afridi's batting or bowling, it is instead the whole. He is blessed with a presence; he can make things happen, and around him, things happen. The problem is that he doesn't know when and how it happens and neither do we. In that way, a comparison with Virender Sehwag - while not obvious, is not entirely untenable. And what Flintoff has achieved in his career can't help but invoke a tinge of regret at what Afridi has squandered. Of course, his appeal lies partly in his failure to emulate these standards. Maybe there isn't a permanent space for him in the modern game, reliant as it is not only on extravagant natural gifts, but on self-discipline and the ability to harness that talent as well. He seems out of place and out of touch with the work ethic of today's players, as well as lacking their willingness to learn and improve. He will argue, as he has done, that the team has never used him properly, and he does it with some justification. His critics will argue that he has simply refused to learn in over 14 years with the national team. But surely there is room for an ephemeral rogue, if only because occasionally, and unexpectedly, he adds another dimension to any game. Why live in the hope that he will come round and start doing it all the time? It is only sporadic moments of beauty he provides, but it is beauty nonetheless and for that alone it should be treasured.

[vvvslaxman]

In other words if Afretard had put his mind to his game he would have become Flintoff + Sehwag rolled into one. :cantstop: No wonder Pakistan is incompetent in everything. There is uniformity across the nation when it comes to worshipping Afretard. Extravagant Natural Gift = Close the eyes and swing it wildly, :cantstop:

[achilles]

I think Shoaib Akhtar is one of the most disappointing Pakistani player of this decade. So much promise and he let it all go away :((

[Watson87]

I think Shoaib Akhtar is one of the most disappointing Pakistani player of this decade. So much promise and he let it all go away :((

The worst part is he got genital warts and later spread it to Younus Khan :hitler:

[achilles]

^^ Haha :giggle: Younus Khan was one of the best Pakistani captains. But the teams players and their typical subcontinental behaviour of "my way or the highway" killed the goose.

[vvvslaxman]

I am sick and tired of this "Taulent Purana" from across the border.

[Arkem8]

Afridi as someone once posted here, reminds Pakis most of a carefree but ignorant existence. As a player he is pretty ordinary.

[King]

Majority of the Pakistan players are over-rated. Talent is produced by every country not just "Pakistan". Even Zimbabwe produces decent players.

[rabinjackman]

why do people compare afridi to sehwag.... sehwag is like a 2 hour hollywood movie while afridi is the 5 minute trailer

[ensd2]

why do people compare afridi to sehwag.... sehwag is like a 2 hour hollywood movie while afridi is the 5 minute trailer

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical: I would say 60 second trailer...

[Karan114]

sehwag is like a 2 hour hollywood movie while afridi is the 5 minute trailer

:cantstop: Nice one

[achilles]

why do people compare afridi to sehwag.... sehwag is like a 2 hour hollywood movie while afridi is the 5 minute trailer

:hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical::hysterical:

[Arkem8]

why do people compare afridi to sehwag.... sehwag is like a 2 hour hollywood movie while afridi is the 5 minute trailer

Afridi is more like that annoying teenage git talking on the cell or an old retirement age uncle passing gas loudly in the dark anonymity of the cinema hall.

[triam]

He is a rogue not a talent.