February 18, 2022 1
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 ...