Misbah, Afridi bid adieu to ODIs

Misbah-ul-Haq and Shahid Afridi left behind many unfulfilled dreams in their successful careers as they bowed out of one-day international cricket after Pakistan crashed to a six-wicket loss to Australia in the quarterfinals of the World Cup, here on Friday. The duo had called time on their respective ODI careers before the 50-over showpiece event and if Misbah continues to play in Tests, Afridi will feature only in T20 cricket. The 40-year-old Misbah served Pakistan cricket for long but failed to register a single ODI ton in 162 matches since making his international debut in 2001 in a Test match against New Zealand.

An unflappable middle-order mainstay, Misbah has 42 ODI half-centuries to his credit but doesn’t have a single 50-over ton under his belt. He has accumulated 5,122 runs — the most runs by any player in ODIs without a ton. The captain managed 34 in Pakistan’s disappointing 213 all out against Australia in the last-eight game at the Adelaide Oval.

Afridi, who shot to fame with a then fastest 37-ball hundred against Sri lanka in his debut ODI series in 1996, became famous as ‘boom boom’ who blew away any opposition with his attacking batting. The 35-year-old all-rounder also came in handy with his quickish leg-spinners, played 398 ODIs to manage 8,064 runs and 395 wickets. Afridi also captained the side in the 2011 World Cup, where Pakistan lost to eventual champions India in the semi-finals at Mohali.

The flamboyant right-hander will also be remembered for his striking good looks and a steady stream of female fans around the world.