Brian Lara a cut above Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting: Shahid Afridi

[Raghav_12]

Shahid Lala Afridi has spoken. It would settle the debate for ever now.

Brian Lara a cut above Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting: Shahid Afridi Joining the debate on who among Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar is a greater batsman, Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi said he considers the West Indian a cut above the best of his era. "Lara was the best batsman I have seen in my entire career spanning 16 years better. Personally I found him to be a class above the two other greats of this era, Tendulkar and [Ricky] Pointing," Afridi said in an interview. "He was the most difficult batsmen I have bowled to in every format of the game. He could play and hit boundaries at will. Especially against the spinners he produced boundaries out of the hat — a superb player and I enjoyed watching him bat," Afridi said while talking about the greatest players of his era. Afridi said there were times when he felt that Lara could play blindfolded. "At times I felt he was so good at playing spin he could even bat well against them blindfolded. Tendulkar and Pointing are also greats but I thought Lara was a cut above them," he said. Talking about the greatest bowlers of his time, Afridi praised Australian, Glenn McGrath and compatriot Mohammad Asif who could swing the new ball both ways at will. "They were the only bowlers who I felt knew when they were going to bowl inswing or outswing and that is a big quality in any bowler," he explained. Afridi also talked about his comeback and resurgence in his career. "Now whenever I get out, I talk to myself and I curse myself for not finishing off a match if I am batting. It has helped me a lot this self-assessment therapy," Afridi admitted he didn't think much about his batting after getting out or didn't do enough post-examination. "But now when I am batting I am eager to finish off matches myself. I keep on talking to myself and even if I get out, I keep on analysing myself." The flamboyant all-rounder said he was keen to keep on playing for Pakistan but with self-respect. "I have seen the fate of some of our former greats and how they went out. I don't want to go through that phase. I can say this safely I will know when the time is right for me to go. Right now the time is good for me and I can carry on performing in Twenty20 and ODI cricket," he said. Afridi conceded that in the past he had made mistakes in his career but insisted he never compromised on self-respect. "I am that sort of a person if I feel I am not wanted or I don't get along with someone I will not play. I couldn't get along with Waqar Younis when he was captain so I decided not to play and stepped aside." He also described Misbah-ul-Haq as a good captain and a good planner. "He is an excellent planner but unfortunately not everything you plan is executed all the time. And one can't expect him to treat other players like schoolchildren," he said.

[I6MTW]

Because Afridi's decision is final right?

[Raghav_12]

Because Afridi's decision is final right?

Afridi knows about cricket more than anybody else.

[King Tendulkar]

Lara has bigger heart maybe?

[FischerTal]

but Lala is below all of them so who cares? :dontknow:

[BeautifulGame]

Afridi said there were times when he felt that Lara could play blindfolded. Isnt that how Afridi always bats?

[King Tendulkar]

His target audience of crazy indian hating pakis will be happy. Mission accomplished by afridi

[putrevus]

I don't think he said anything wrong, when Lara was on his game he was definitely a notch above Sachin.

[adi B]

His target audience of crazy indian hating pakis will be happy. Mission accomplished by afridi

precisely this. retard`s mission accomplished,more paki fools will become will jump onto his fan bandwagon

[Raghav_12]

I don't think he said anything wrong' date=' when Lara was on his game he was definitely a notch above Sachin.[/quote'] When Lala is on his game, he is a notch above both Sachin and Lara. Neither of them could have hit a 37 ball century at the tender age. Also none of them can eat balls. Afridi on top of both.

[putrevus]

When Lala is on his game, he is a notch above both Sachin and Lara. Neither of them could have hit a 37 ball century at the tender age. Also none of them can eat balls. Afridi on top of both.

okay

[Khalpat]

I don't think he said anything wrong' date=' when Lara was on his game he was definitely a notch above Sachin.[/quote'] This is true with most of the players, Sehwag, Waugh, Cullinan, Ponting etc. everyone infact Inzi and Anwar were better than Sachin on their day. But to be Sachin Tendulkar, you do not need a particular day or particular game you need a consistent and glorified career of 23 years. Afridi's personal opinion so no problem with that but the only thing is that he made this assumption of Lara being the best batsman to whom he has bowled is on the basis of 2 Test MAtches he has played against him. Just 2 Test and out of the 4 innings of those 2 test he himself took Lara's wicket in one of the iinnings of first test and LAra was out on 0 in the second inning of second test so precisely he has made this assumption on basis of 2 innings. With Afridi anything is possible.

[putrevus]

This is true with most of the players, Sehwag, Waugh, Cullinan, Ponting etc. everyone infact Inzi and Anwar were better than Sachin on their day. But to be Sachin Tendulkar, you do not need a particular day or particular game you need a consistent and glorified career of 23 years. Afridi's personal opinion so no problem with that but the only thing is that he made this assumption of Lara being the best batsman to whom he has bowled is on the basis of 2 Test MAtches he has played against him. Just 2 Test and out of the 4 innings of those 2 test he himself took Lara's wicket in one of the iinnings of first test and LAra was out on 0 in the second inning of second test so precisely he has made this assumption on basis of 2 innings. With Afridi anything is possible.

So in gist you are saying Sachin is the greatest compiler of stats. I agree I don't think anyone has compiled stats better than him. does that make him a better player is the question.

[Khalpat]

So in gist you are saying Sachin is the greatest compiler of stats. I agree I don't think anyone has compiled stats better than him. does that make him a better player is the question.

I do not understand what you are trying to say by bolded part, may be you are working in some corporate sector at managerial post. But in simple language of cricket fans, a batsman job is to bat and make runs, do you really think when you are facing Ambrose or Walsh or Akhtar or Warne, a batsman is thinking about stats. While making runs obviously they will be changing the stats, the more runs you make more stats would get compiled.

[Clarke]

With Padosi land, there's always been a revolving door policy for temporary adopted sons that are above Sachin. With SRT close to the end of his overall fab career, the policy has turned into re-adoptions.

[putrevus]

I do not understand what you are trying to say by bolded part' date=' may be you are working in some corporate sector at managerial post. But in simple language of cricket fans, a batsman job is to bat and make runs, do you really think when you are facing Ambrose or Walsh or Akhtar or Warne, a batsman is thinking about stats. While making runs obviously they will be changing the stats, the more runs you make more stats would get compiled.[/quote'] Longevity is not the only measure of greatness.

[Khalpat]

Longevity is not the only measure of greatness.

I still do not get you man. What exactly you are trying to say, are you saying Sachin Tendulkar is not a great player or you are saying Brian Lara is greater player because on his day he is better than Sachin. That is also fine. Its your opinion, I consider Sachin Tendulkar as better player not only because of Longevity but also because of: Consistency Straight Drive Technically Perfect Forward Defence Innovative skill Upper Cut Backfoot Punch Taking right foot towards offstump while playing square cut Many great moments Humbleness Eagerness to learn cricket more no involvement in any controversy his pull shots His wristy Leg Glance His Padel Sweep His cover drive His batting in big tournament like WC's His batting in Australia His encounter with Dale Steyn His 200* His six on the bowling of Walsh His six on the bowling of Qadir His six on the bowling of Akhtar His six on the bowling of Mgrath .... .... .... .... .... Thousands of reason to consider him a great batsman.

[putrevus]

I still do not get you man. What exactly you are trying to say, are you saying Sachin Tendulkar is not a great player or you are saying Brian Lara is greater player because on his day he is better than Sachin. That is also fine. Its your opinion, I consider Sachin Tendulkar as better player not only because of Longevity but also because of: Consistency Straight Drive Technically Perfect Forward Defence Innovative skill Upper Cut Backfoot Punch Taking right foot towards offstump while playing square cut Many great moments Humbleness Eagerness to learn cricket more no involvement in any controversy his pull shots His wristy Leg Glance His Padel Sweep His cover drive His batting in big tournament like WC's His batting in Australia His encounter with Dale Steyn His 200* His six on the bowling of Walsh His six on the bowling of Qadir His six on the bowling of Akhtar His six on the bowling of Mgrath .... .... .... .... .... Thousands of reason to consider him a great batsman.

I never said he was not great, all I said was Lara was better when he was on his game.

[vamos_rafa]

I never said he was not great' date=' all I said was Lara was better when he was on his game.[/quote'] And that's what made Sachin a greater batsman to me. He could always find ways to score runs even when he was not playing his A game.

[Debutant]

Retard :haha: