Afridi’s sixes bring victory for Pakistan over India in the 6th Match of Asia Cup Cricket

Afridi celebrates victory after hitting a mighty six [Photo AFP/Cricinfo]

Those who watched the cricket match between India and Pakistan live from Mirpur – Dhaka, Bangladesh would remember it for a long time to come.

The hair-raising finish of the match reminded many of the Sharjah Cup final match when there was one ball remaining and four runs to make for Pakistan to win – and it was a mighty six from Javed Miandad that won the match for Pakistan and Javed Miandad is till remembered for winning the match for Pakistan.

Winning the toss, Pakistan invited India to bat. India in their stipulated 50 overs scored 245 at the loss of eight wickets and gave a target of 246 for Pakistan to win.  India’s Sharma,  Rayudu and Jadeja scored half centuries while Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal bagged three wickets for 40. Talha who made a maiden début in the ODIs for Pakistan took two wickets and so did Hafeez.

Coming to bat, Pakistan’s Sharjeel and Shehzad opened confidently but at 71 Sharjeel was gone for 25. Thereafter Misbah was run out for one and Maqsood was the 6^th man to pack up for 38. At this stage Pakistan was at a precarious situation as one after the other Pakistan’s wickets kept falling, leaving Afridi and Junaid on the crease with no more wickets in hand.  Ajmal was the last man out when the total was 236 and Pakistan still needed 10 more runs to win the match.

And it was here that Shahid Afridi came to the rescue of his team  and hit a six and then Pakistan needed three more runs and three balls remaining. It was here that Afridi scored a mighty six off Aswin’s ball and won the match for Pakistan – just like Miandad did.  The entire Pakistan team ran into the ground and hugged Afridi for his superb 38 off 18 balls (not out), which included three sixes.

Hafeez declared man of the match for his impressive 75 runs and two wickets.

Commenting on his performance, Afridi said:

Really under pressure, didn't perform well. Hit some bad shots. "Expectations were high. We all know how importat this game was and I am glad I did it. The captain told me to take my time and I did that. Whenever we play against India it's a great occasion and I'm very happy. Gul was talking a lot with me, we wanted singles as well and we needed a hit as well. When we arrived here, our goal was to win this competition. Very important for my country and team and I want to thank Bangladeshi crowd for supporting us"

Pakistan now plays Bangladesh on Tuesday.

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Afridi bats like a tailender: Says Geoffrey Boycott

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Commenting on the performance and form of Pakistan's Boom Boom Afridi in an exclusive interview at cricinfo, one of England's most successful opening batsmen Geoffrey Boycott says that it is appalling to watch Afridi batting, who over the years have transformed from high scoring batsman to a mere tailender.

Afridi is a fantastic bowler - but it is appalling to see him bat, says Bycott

"Pakistan have lost out with his batting deteriorating so badly. And he's one of my favourite cricketers. I love meeting him, not just watching him play. He's full of fun, he's talented, but his batting is so bad now, it's embarrassing. He can't think, he can't judge the length, and he's just a swiper of the ball. It's appalling to watch him bat."

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"He bats like a tailender, and a bad one at that. It must be frustrating as hell, exasperating, annoying, to all his supporters, his friends, his captain - his captain must do his head in, trying to look after him. Everybody must be asking like you: how can all that talent in one man disappear? How can he lose it so badly?" 

However, Boycott is impressed by his bowling, which he seems to be concentrating more these days to compensate for his bad batting and find a way out to remain in the Pakistan's squad: 

"He is a fantastic bowler, let me tell you. He is hard to pick. I thought he was a sensational captain when he did the job. So, whatever his faults, he still has some talent as a bowler. And I still love him." 

Read more about Geoffry's assessment of Afridi and cricket in general at ESPN Cricinfo 

Chris Gayle and Pakistan's Afridi sign with Sydney Thunder

The Sydney Thunder have secured two of the biggest names in Twenty20 cricket, with Chris Gayle set to return for the side this year, alongside the Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi. 

Shahid Khan Afridi [left] - Chris Gayle [right] to play for Sydney Thunder

Gayle was the major draw-card for the Thunder last summer, when he topped their run tally with 252 at an average of 42, and the presence of Afridi alongside him will be cause for concern among opposition attacks.

"I am really happy to have re-signed with the Thunder," Gayle said. "I always wanted to return. I love Sydney, so I cannot wait to get amongst the guys again." Afridi said he was looking forward to joining the Thunder, his third Australian domestic T20 side after South Australia and the Renegades. 

Read more: ESPN Cricinfo

Pakistan's Dashing Afridi to Review ODI Career

Pakistan's dashing all rounder Shahid Khan 'Boom Boom' Afridi is considering continuing or otherwise his ODI career.

Shahid Khan 'Boom Boom' Afridi

The consideration comes as he has had a low scoring record for quite sometime now. While he is doing satisfactorily, if not superbly, as a bowler, his batting side seems to be running out of steam. He scored only 28 runs in four innings against Sri Lanka in the ODIs, when Pakistan needed quick and winning runs from him.

It may be remembered that Afridi rose to fame when he hit 100 offf 37 balls against Sri Lanka in 1996 and has since then been a high profile player. But lately he seems to have a dwindling cricket performance.

Afridi retired from test cricket in 2010 to concentrate on limited over matcehs - but now it seems another milestone in his career has come to decide about the ODIs too.

His recent remarks show his decison is likely soon:

"I will make a decision soon but I have yet to decide on retirement. I will continue playing Twenty20 cricket if I leave one-day. I want to leave the stage for youngsters so that Pakistan can have a good team by 2015."

Watch Live Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Free Streaming First ODI 7 June 2012

The visiting Pakistan cricket team plays its first ODI of a series of five ODIs against hosts Sri Lanka on 07 June, 2012. 

Both countries hae already played two T20I with a levelled score. 

In 2011, Pakistan played five ODis against Sril Lanka at the UAE, winning the series 4-1. But now Sri Lanka has the advantage of home ground, temperature and climatic conditioning, which will be to a great disadvantage to the touring Pakistan cricket team.

The likely opposing teams for the ODI being played on Thursday, 7 June at Pallekele International Stadium are as under:  

Pakistan ODI Squad : Misbah ul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz, Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Rahat Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Mohammad Sami, Asad Shafiq, Aizaz Cheema, Azhar Ali, Imran Farhat

Srilanka ODI Squad : Jayawardena (captain), Dilshan, Sangakkara, Mathews, Malinga, Chandimal, Nuwan Pradeep, Herath, Fernando, Kulasekara, Jeevan Mendis, Parera, Tharanga, Thirimanne, Seenanayke

With the return of Misbah, Younis, Asad and Azhar Pakistani squad is back to its full strength. However, cricket fans believe that Malik not be included for the ODI nor Imaran Farhat.

The match is scheduled for June 7, 2012 at 09:00 GMT at Pallekele International Stadium

The links for the free live streaming are given as herein under:

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[via Jaho Jalal]