Boom Boom Afridi

Boom Boom Afridi

Shahid Afridi the evergreen cricketer of Pakistan also retired from the international Cricket. The last cricketer of the 90's generation when I used to watch cricket (now I only watch few Indian matches and IPL) and I think he was the man who changed the dimensions of the cricket. Sanath Jayasuriya was the first man who started utilizing the 15 over Power-play and he also become the perfect exploiter of these overs. However I have not watched him playing many long innings except the one when he scored 37 balls century fastest at that time on his first match. Otherwise he has scored few runs but mostly with boundaries. 

He was famous in India too and garnered appreciation for his play and looks when Pakistan team toured India. He was more of a bowler than a batsman. His batting innings were usually short and he got out quickly after scoring few quick runs but as a right arm leg spinner he appeared as a match winner for his team in many occasions. He started pinch hitting which was followed by many cricketers after him. The chants of Boom Boom Afridi were always heard when he was on the pitch not only from his country's supporters but also from the opponent country fans. He always made the match entertaining through ball or with bat.

Now when he retired from the international Cricket at the age of 36 he still remembered for the youngest cricket debut (16 years). He holds many world records and records for his country like :

• Highest T20I wicket taker (97)
• 86.97 among batsmen with more than 25 Test caps he has the best strike rate.
• 9 Five wicket haul in ODI's which makes him thirs highest with Brett Lee. 
• Only all-rounder after Jacques Kallis with 10,000 runs and 500 wickets.
• Most sixes in international cricket across all formats (476)

With him heroes of the 90's cricket fans have all retired. I will remember him as the cricketer on the field who always brings energy to the game. I wish him good luck in his future endeavors. 

The Last Nawab of Cricket

The Last Nawab of Cricket.

The Nawab of Najafgarh (a place in Delhi) Virender Sehwag announced his retirement from all forms of cricket breaking hearts of all his cricket fans. Like in his career he didn't have the respect he deserved even in his retirement. No special farewell match was planned by BCCI (Board of Cricket Control in India) for such a great cricketing mind. He was sidelined by the team administration suddenly and then was never selected for either test or one day internationals.

What Sanath Jayasuriya did for Sri Lanka, Sehwag did for India. He accelerated the much needed start after which no target seem impossible and no opposition seem invincible. He was brutal with all world class bowlers of his time. McGrath, Shoib Akhtar, Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Shaun Pollock, Wasim Akram, they all tasted his cruelty for the ball. When playing on the field he tried to hit every single ball for boundary whether he succeeded in it o not.

In a way he laid the foundation of super-fast cricket followed by Kohli, Raina and others. I will always remember him as a fearless disciplined cricketer who never feared his opponent nor feared his position in the team and just played his natural game throughout his cricketing career like a Nawab. He scored first test 300 hundred for India against Pakistan in Pakistan's Multan for which he often referred as 'Sultan of Multan' and he is still the only Indian batsman to score a 300. Only batsman in the history to have scored 7,500-plus runs in both Tests & ODIs as an opener.

He played like a Nawab without caring what his critics saying about his unconventional style of playing. He was a nawab because he played on his own terms never tried projecting himself to be a future captain or one who could control team and selectors. When he announced his retirement he kept intact his Nawabian style, no speculations, no controversial comments, no demands just a sudden announcement of ‘Alvida Cricket.’

He is now involved in training young cricketers and instilling in them ‘Viru’ like cricketing attitude but since time has changed and the cricket has changed, the attitude of cricketers have changed hence he became ‘The Last Nawab of Cricket.’  

Ta-ta Tendulkar

Ta-Ta Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar has said goodbye to all forms of cricket with the end of India's second test match with West Indies which was his 200th test match. In his 24 years of cricket his name became synonymous with the game,he broke most of the records set by earlier generations and made so many new records which might remain intact with his name always.

Sachin's cricketing carrier was like a roller coaster ride with many ups and downs in it. At the one end he was making and breaking records and on the other hand he was criticized for playing for himself. India lost most of the matches in which he has scored centuries. We have also witnessed his jinx with nervous nineties. He avoided captain-ship of the team because of the pressure involved in it and when he got captain's cap he leaved it within a year. His interest in brand endorsements was questioned when he didn't performed well.

I will not remember him for his records because someone may break them someday but I will never forget him for the man he is. He never misbehaved with any senior or junior player,encouraged younger generation,supported his captain and coach, remain spotless at a time when match fixing hold every cricketer's collar, remain a true champion of the game even off the field,his mere presence in the game was enough to generate a hope among cricket fans,never ever indulged in fights on or off the field, always spoke with the bat when criticized. There was a time when he was above the game but he never took appreciations to his head and always remained humble to everyone.Cricket will never forget its true son who is an example of how a cricketer should be. 

After his retirement cricket fields will miss a small man who brings energy to the game. Some are crying ,some are shattered and some don't think he should retire now but I am satisfied that he retired when we still think that there is something left in him. He is also a parliamentarian now I hope he will set an example there also. Ta-ta Tendulkar!