The Afridi factor (....not again)

I swear I saw this article earlier as well. But anyway this is another feature on Afridi - "nothing new here, move on" kinda stuff. What the article does point out is that there is something new about Afridi since he has come back into the team (altho he also cites a 1999 test 100 example which is counter-intutive :S).

I have no problem with Shahid Afridi. In fact I like to see him becoming a better, maturer, permanent feature in Pakistani cricket. But what i am concerned about is the reliance on Afridi. In recent matches, when Afridi got out the rest of the team really looked pedestrian. I feel his presence inhibits the development of the stroke playing ability of other players at the top order - of course its not his fault. Unlike Australia who have stroke players coming in one after the other even if Gilchrist gets out early.This is something we also saw in his previous stint, although we had Saeed Anwer at that time.

Afridi's consistency is another area of concern, although it looked to have improved in recent times (although under relatively easy conditions). I mean he is still quite vulnerable against decent seam bowling (looking at how he got out against Balaji) and technically needs to brush up some.

Of course we all love to see him bat, bowl and even field. He is a livewire on the field no matter what he does. Its good to see him settled down (as the author mentioned) and feel comfortable with himself.