The flawed perfection of Shahid Afridi

The outstretched arms signifying glory, the fire of destruction in his eyes, the wind up to treat quality bowlers like rookies, the itch to prove his detractors wrong ‘one more time’- Shahid Afridi’s stint with the national team wasn’t like a fairytale, it was far from being one. However, it was worthy enough to be parked aside other exemplary figures of the sport, without a shred of a doubt.

His mind was not cluttered; he hardly employed half-measures; someone who seldom flinched from taking people’s wrath head-on- Afridi was never an epitome of perfection, yet he was a people’s person. He was pelted with critics, deemed as hasty, outlandish, and unfit for playing at the highest level, yet his career spanned nearly 22 years- the aura of Pakistan’s veteran shouldered him for that much time.

When Cricket lost and Afridi won

The exotic relation between cricket and politics has been an everlasting one, good enough to transcend Jack and Rose’s anecdote in Titanic. In the meantime, cricketing logics take a backseat; Pride, ego, self-proclaimed respect and other non-cricketing elements take centre-stage- India and Pakistan’s affairs in the sport haven’t been any different, maybe even more spiced up, sometimes violent as well.

The rivalry rewinds back to 2014, Asia Cup, Pakistan required 10 runs to win and get the bragging rights over their arch-rivals. The stage (battlefield) was set; Ravichandran Ashwin with the white cherry (hand grenade) and Shahid Afridi with the willow (AK-47) in hand. It was more of a war-zone than a cricket pitch, probably that’s how the match was being perceived. Anything, but the contest was at stake.

The first one boomed over long off; the second tantalisingly over long on- 12 runs was all that mattered. Pakistani fans celebrated as if they had snatched Kargil back from their rival and Indians mourned as if their neighbours had grasped the entire of Kashmir- Cricket wasn’t a priority among the followers. Meanwhile, Afridi steadily added another feather in the hat of his straining, but a glorious profession.

The same shots went on to become a part of a Bollywood flick- Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Be it his gesture towards the Indian flag in Switzerland or his heartfelt comment for the IPL in 2012, Afridi has mostly been generous in his words for India. Albeit he was pelted with criticisms following his comments over the tensions in Kashmir, a spell of mishap shouldn’t be powerful enough to undo his good reputation.

Why not Boom Boom?

Music and cricket are two artistic spectacles, they bind India and Pakistan as a unit. The calibres of Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and other singers from across the border have boomed in the Indian subcontinent. From jamborees to celebrations, their melodic and peppy numbers set the hearts and stage on fire, which manifests the respect for the art.

At the end of the day, they are entertainers, so is Shahid Afridi. The Khyber-Agency-born sportsman doesn’t conjure much roar from the mass in India despite possessing an image of a crowd-puller. That’s exactly where politics and other external influences interrupt and create a mental-blockage. People draw perception about players like AB de Villiers, portraying him as a cricketer.

On the contrary, Afridi is portrayed as a ‘Pakistani’, drawing parallels of him with delinquents who strain every sinew to disallow relationships to flourish between the nationals. An average of around 21 in global cricket isn’t something heroic, not even close. Nevertheless, opponents go cock-a-hoop when he gets dismissed, fans break down. That’s how he has positioned himself over the years.

He remains to be a prized scalp till the time he bids adieu to cricket. Meanwhile, the reputation of the crowd favourite has been shaped by cricketing attributes and not any other activity. The 38-year old is a servant of the sport if seen from an unadulterated mind. In a fast-paced lifestyle, the public craves for showbiz and that’s undoubtedly what Boom Boom has served them.

Will we ever see another Afridi?

He didn’t fail to do so in his final swansong in internationals either. Eoin Morgan’s injury prior to the World XI’s match bore fruit for Afridi as he was blessed with the privilege to lead the team. Shockingly, a couple of weeks earlier, his knee injury almost put a full stop on his participation. Lady Luck decided to not be cruel to the veteran, she couldn’t have been, not in Afridi’s last match.

The indefatigable trooper let the injury break him, neither physically nor psychologically. The Guard of Honour he got was deserving for the resurgence and fearlessness he has presented. A half-fit and limping Afridi took the field. He bowled his first delivery and clocked at around the 55 mph mark, much slower than his usual speed.

More surprisingly, a spinner known for his ‘medium pacers’ gave significant air to the ball. Andre Fletcher’s dismissal in the second ball of the same over can also be attributed to the fact that batsmen aren’t used to playing ‘the tweaker’ in Afridi. The final-walk following his batting can’t be compared to the one by Sachin Tendulkar after his Final Test.

However, it was epic in his own way, a moment which is bound to be engraved as a forlorn, yet cherishing for fanatics of the game. He was like a storm that brought no calm, but a sense of terror for bowlers and happiness for the supporters. His stats can be matched by numerous of cricketers, but can they ever match Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi’s charisma and flair?

Can there be another Shahid Afridi? Only time will reveal.