Goodbye Shahid Afridi: Lala and the fans’ unwavering love
Pakistan is currently coming to terms with the harsh realities of life. Everything is transitory; nothing is permanent, and Shahid Afridi’s cricket career is no exception. Afridi posted a video and a farewell post early this week, in the middle of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). “Goodbye, PSL; my body is in excruciating pain.” Goodbye Shahid Afridi: Lala and the fans’ unwavering love.
His exit has been gradual, with numerous retirements and U-turns. He has eased his load and dragged his feet while leaving the turf in Tests, ODIs, T20, and even franchise cricket. He did overstay his welcome, but no one seemed to mind. Afridi was a joy to be around. He’d gotten the people’s vote, and he’d earned the right to write his own script as well as pull the curtain.
Last night, Afridi didn’t have a perfect game. He didn’t get a chance to hit his iconic down-on-knees six. He wasn’t needed to bat because he was pushed down the order. With those fastish leg-breaks, he did manage a couple of game-changing dismissals, but Afridi was never about wickets. That is, other people’s wickets; his own may be hilarious. In a game versus Bangladesh, he even called for a runner years after that provision was removed, driving spectators up the wall.
He did please the die-hards with a beautiful frame in his final game, a reminder of his numerous victories since his debut in 1996. He struck the Afridi posture after a direct-hit run out from wide mid-on — arms and feet spread wide apart, index fingers pointed to the skies to sharpen the silhouette, angelic smile on the face, and back arched like a bow.
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He was there, like a gigantic neon-lit ‘X,’ illuminating the central plaza one last time. Afridi was reiterating his role as international cricket’s original X-factor just before exiting the stage for good.
Shaheen, a PSL captain and crucial player for Babar Azam’s Naya Pakistan cricket squad, is attempting to fill the Afridi hole in the coming years. He told a reporter who had come to his house the other day. He says, “I try to hit the ball like Lala but I can’t.” Afridis is known for hitting sixes, but Shaheen feels left out because he isn’t a six-hitter.
This was before the World T20 last year. Shaheen is now a household name. KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma were bowled by him, giving Pakistan a rare ICC tournament victory over India. In Pakistan, he would never have to pay for a meal.
Later in the competition, he bowled a poor over against Australia, causing Pakistan to lose a semi-final that had appeared to be in their grasp. This hero-villain-hero switch was classic Afridi. Pakistan, on the other hand, appeared to be warming up to Shaheen. They were willing to pamper him for those two crucial wickets. They noticed a smidgeon of Lala in this Afridi as well.
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Lala was questioned about his favourite song during one of Pakistan television’s iconic Eid programs. After much deliberation, the adventurous batter chose the one from Feroz Khan’s Janbaaz. He says, “Har kisiko nahin milta yahan pyar.” Only the lucky few acquire unconditional affection in the cruel world of fickle followers on the subcontinent.
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