Wasn't aware of my age during U-14 trials: Afridi

Agencies
May 10, 2019

Karachi, May 10: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi claimed that he was unaware of his real age when he appeared for national under-14 trials and it led to all the "mess" and "misunderstanding" on the issue.

Afridi, known for his power-hitting, has revealed that he was actually 19 years old (21, going by his autobiography 'Game Changer') when he produced a 37-ball 100 in Nairobi in 1996-97 and not 16 as has been recorded officially.

Afridi said he has no regrets of talking about his age in his just-released autobiography and also clarified that the first edition carried wrong year of his birth.

"The reason for my age being messed up in the records is that when I first appeared for the under-14 trials I myself really did not know my exact age. So when the selectors asked me about my age and details I said what others told me to do. That age was officially recorded in the cricket board records and thus the misunderstanding," Afridi told a Pakistani TV channel.

"I have no regrets because the record for scoring the fastest one-day hundred was mine since 1996 regardless of what my age was recorded," he said on the channel.

The former skipper, whose book has caused quite a stir, said he was born in a village in Mardan where there was no practice of recording date of birth or having official birth certificate.

"When my family moved to Karachi, I just knew the date and month of my birth and not the exact year that is why my age was erroneously recorded in the under-14 trials."

Afridi made it clear that he had clarified the year of his birth as 1977 and not 1975 as published in his book.

"It was a mistake by the publishers and copy editors. In the second edition of the book, the correction has been made," he said.

He also admitted some factual errors had appeared in the book which would be corrected in the second edition.

He also spoke about the comments he made about Indian batsman, Gautam Gambhir in the book that led to a war of words between them on twitter.

"I just want to say when we had that fight in the match it was a mistake by both of us. We realised that later. I have nothing personal against Gambhir. In fact, I have some good friends in the Indian team and I get along with them well off the field. Even if I meet Gambhir somewhere, I will greet him normally as I have nothing in my heart against him."

Afridi made it clear he had enjoyed the most playing his cricket in India.

"I have enjoyed each and every tour of India because of the love and affection I and other Pakistani players have got always there. I admire Indian cricket because of the way the sport is run there and how the money they earn is invested back into the game and players.

"I still believe that cricket is one way to reduce tensions between the two countries and we should have regular bilateral matches. Because when we tour each other's countries there will be more people to people contact and misunderstandings will be lessened.”

He recalled how in 2004 when the Indian team toured Pakistan, Pakistani people had shown respect, love and hospitality to all the Indian players, officials, people and government dignitaries who came to watch the matches.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere and I believe we must do it again. Pakistan and Indian people love their players and want to see bilateral matches."

He also made it clear that Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Mahendra Singh Dhoni were among his favourite players but he could include only Kohli in his all-time World Cup team because he could only pick 12 players.

"Sachin and Dhoni are greats and they have achieved a lot for Indian cricket. I picked Kohli because he just looks so majestic and beautiful to watch while batting."

He also clarified his comments about some Pakistani former greats in his book.

"There is no doubt in my mind that I have lot of respect for Javed (Miandad) bhai, Waqar Younis and others always. The incidents I have narrated in my book is about what happened on and off. But it does not mean I don't respect them or try to belittle their achievements for Pakistan cricket. Overall, I always respected my seniors and it remains that way," he said.

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News Network
June 10,2020

New Delhi, Jun 10: Former India skipper Rahul Dravid has praised the batting of MS Dhoni during the backend of a match, saying that the wicket-keeper often played during the period as if the result did not really matter to him.

Dravid also said that in pressure-cooker situations, not worrying about consequences can help players bring out the best in themselves.

"You watch MS Dhoni play during the backend of a match when he was at his best, you always felt like that he is doing something really important to him but he is playing it like the result does not really matter to him," Dravid told Sanjay Manjrekar during a videocast hosted by ESPNCricinfo.

"I think you need to have that or you need to train for it. It is a skill that I never had. The consequences of any decision mattered to me. It would be interesting to ask MS Dhoni that is this something that has come naturally to him or did he work on this during his career," he added.

Dhoni made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2004, but he truly arrived in the series against Pakistan in 2005 when he scored 148 runs in the second ODI of the six-match series at Vishakapatnam.

He is the only captain to win all major ICC trophies (50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and Champions Trophy). Under his leadership, India also managed to attain the number one ranking in Test cricket.

He first led an inexperienced Indian side to the T20 World Cup triumph in 2007. He then took over ODI captaincy, but he had to wait for leading the Test side as Anil Kumble was doing the duties in the longest format.

Over his career, Dhoni has been reowned for his finishing skills and he is often viewed as the best finisher that the game has ever seen.

In December 2014, Dhoni announced his retirement from the longest format of the game.

Then in 2017, Dhoni handed over the captaincy reins to Virat Kohli in the 50-over format.

Dhoni was slated to return to the cricket field on March 29 in the IPL's opening match between CSK and Mumbai Indians. However, the tournament has been suspended indefinitely as a precautionary measure against coronavirus.

Thirty-eight-year-old Dhoni has been currently enjoying some time away from the game. He last played competitive cricket during the 2019 World Cup.

Dhoni recently had to face criticism for his slow batting approach during India's matches.

Earlier this year, Dhoni did not find a place in the list of BCCI's centrally contracted players from October 2019 to September 2020.

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News Network
March 21,2020

London, Mar 21: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended all professional cricket till May 28, delaying the start of the new season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ECB took the decision following discussions with the First-Class Counties, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

"It was agreed that, given the current information available, a seven-week delay to the start of the season is the most appropriate approach," an ECB media statement said.

The Board also announced that it is working on three new options, including the three-Test series against West Indies, the T20 Cup and the women's schedule against India, for a possible start in June, July or August.

"Close liaison with the Government will continue, with discussions on the potential of starting the season behind closed doors and giving sports fans the opportunity to live broadcast action," the statement said on Friday.

"The potential for reduced versions of competitions, should the season become further truncated, will also be discussed."

The ECB said it will meet as needed to review the position and make further decisions as the UK situation unfolds.

"During this period of deep uncertainty it is the ECB’s first priority to protect the wellbeing of everyone within the cricket family, from players, to fans and colleagues across the game,’’ ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said.

"The decision to delay the start of the season has been essential, given the circumstances the nation faces. I am reassured by the collaborative effort from across the game that together, we will make the very best of whatever length of season we are able to safely schedule in the coming months," he added.

He said this would give the ECB time to keep pace with a fast-moving situation and continue to plan for how a revised season might look.

"Critically, we can also remain as flexible and adaptable as possible, within the obvious restrictions we face."

Last week, England's tour of Sri Lanka was called off mid tournament in view of the rising threat of the pandemic.

"Securing the future of the game will be a primary focus as we plot a revised schedule with an emphasis on the most financially important forms of the game for the counties across international and domestic cricket," Harrison said.

The COVID-19 global death toll has climbed past 11,000 with more than 250,000 infected. In UK, close to 4000 have tested positive so far and 177 died.

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News Network
February 4,2020

Feb 4: India captain Virat Kohli on Tuesday said the death of NBA legend Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash has impacted his outlook towards life, which he feels, is sometimes taken for granted in pursuit of control over the future.

Bryant, a two-time Olympic gold-medallist and one of the most decorated basketball players of all time, died in a helicopter crash last month along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna, who was also a budding hoopster.

"Firstly, it was a shock to everyone. I grew up watching those NBA games in the morning and watching what he did on court. But when someone that you have looked up to in some ways, passes away like that, it does put things in perspective," Kohli said on the eve of the first ODI against New Zealand here.

"...at the end of the day, life can be so fickle. It's so unpredictable. I think a lot of the times we get too caught up in the pressures of what we have to do tomorrow...we really forget living life and enjoying life and just appreciating and being grateful for the life we have," he added.

Kohli said a tragedy like this makes one realise that nothing can be more important than enjoying every moment of existence.

"...it did put things in perspective for me massively. It just makes you feel like not wanting to have control of things in front of you all the time, and just embracing life and appreciating it.

"You start looking at things from a different point of view suddenly and you want to enjoy every moment you're going through. You realise that what you're doing at the end of the day is not the most important thing. The most important thing is life itself," Kohli signed off.

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