Afridi quits as Pakistan slump to defeat at Lord's
Shahid Afridi sensationally quits as Pakistan's captain
Also In The News
|
Michael O'Leary chief executive of Ryanair, has said sorry to Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the founder of Easyjet, for his airline's 'Pinocchio' themed ads. |  |
Friday, 16, Jul 2010 04:24
By Richard James at Lord's.
Shahid Afridi sensationally quit as Pakistan's captain and retired from Test cricket after watching Australia defeat his side by 150 runs at Lord's.
Pakistan were never really in the match, in part due to Afridi's cavalier attitude with the bat, and he told the media after the game he decided to step away from Test cricket after he was dismissed by Marcus North - who ended with remarkable figures of 6 for 55 - for a duck having only faced four balls on Friday.
Afridi said he was "not mentally strong enough" for Test cricket, claiming he did not have the temperament for the longer form of the game.
In Pakistan's first innings he smashed 31 runs of only 16 balls playing as if it was the end of Twenty20 game. In announcing his retirement Afridi said he would continue to play one-day and Twenty20 cricket and hoped to continue as captain in those forms of the game.
His decision to step away from Test cricket and give up the captaincy is all the more remarkable given the fact the neutral Test against Australia was Afridi's first in four years. He said he would captain the side in the second and final Test at Headingley next week.
Earlier in the day Australia wrapped up a comprehensive victory after bowling Pakistan out for 289 to win the match by 150 runs after lunch on the fourth day.
Pakistan started the day 114 for 1 chasing an improbable 440 for victory and looked set to frustrate Australia throughout Friday with Salman Butt and Azhar Ali carefully negotiating the first 45 minutes without any drama.
Ben Hilfenhaus finally got the breakthrough for Australia though to end the partnership of 102, with Ali 42 edging a swinging delivery to Tim Paine behind the stumps.
The wicket signalled the beginning of the end for Pakistan and an inspired bowling change by Ricky Ponting brought the batting side's resistance to an end.
Part-time spinner North was brought into the attack and dismissed the dangerous Butt (92) with his first delivery. A ball that was clearly drifting down leg left the opener off balance and Paine brilliantly removed the bails.
Umar Akmal then attempted to accelerate the run rate, a bizarre choice given the length of time left in the game, and smashed his way to 22 off 30 balls including three 4s and a 6 before he disastrously gave up his wicket in the last over before lunch cutting a North delivery to Michael Clarke in the slips.
At the break Pakistan had moved onto 216 for 4 still needing 224 to win.
To compound their problems, despite being a so-called "part-time" bowler, North was in the groove and after lunch took two wickets in five balls.
Amin was the first go, for 33, caught at short leg - a bat/pad dismissal with Katich taking a brilliant juggling catch.
Afridi then played a hugely irresponsible innings given Pakistan's position and lasted only four balls before he perished trying to smash North out the ground but instead only sending a catch to Mike Hussey. Kamran Akmal's disappointment at his captain was obvious as the he stood motionless in the middle of the wicket watching Afridi trudge back to the pavilion.
Blog: Afridi's unhappy return to Test cricket
Akmal appeared keen to show his captain how he should have played and along with Mohammad Aamer frustrated Australia with a partnership of 54.
He eventually fell on 46, off 82 balls, having played a mature and sensible innings but a rush of blood within touching distance of his half century and he was bowled by debutant Steve Smith.
Pakistan's tail lasted not much longer with Smith and North sharing the wickets as Afridi's side were dismissed for 289.
Straight after the game Afridi announced he would be stepping down as Pakistan captain after the second and final Test against Australia at Headingley next week.
Pakistan
Salman Butt, Imran Farhat, Azhar Ali, Umar Amin, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi (CPT), Mohammad Aamer, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Danish Kaneria
Australia
Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Ricky Ponting (CPT), Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Marcus North, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Mitchell Johnson, Ben Hilfenhaus, Doug Bollinger