Shahid Afridi: A redemption that elated Pakistan

Having mere talent doesn't guarantee anyone success. In fact, it takes a lot of hard work, determination and moreover an opportunity for an individual to thrive and script his name in folklore. 

And if one is a Pakistani cricketer, the biggest opportunity he ever gets to be a hero is when he plays against India. The pressure touches sky high, his heart beats faster than ever. Only those who elevate their game in such matches ultimately get worshipped by masses for eternity.

But what if you fail to deliver in El Clasico? It doesn't matter what you have done in the past; everybody starts judging you from that one failure. 

This was exactly the case with Shahid Afridi after the 2007 T20 World Cup final. Pakistan needed 157 against their arch-rivals India to become the inaugural T20I champions. But to their misfortune, their top order was dismantled by a fantastic spell of seam bowling from RP Singh. The senior pros were biting the dust one by one. It was only Shahid Afridi who could play a game-changing cameo, like he had done on multiple occasions prior to this one against India. 

But what happens? Irfan Pathan bowls a slow off-cutter, Afridi slogs, the ball remains in the air for a long, long time and finally finds its owner in Sreesanth at mid off. Afridi departs without scoring and thus, a major fraction of Pakistan's chances gets buried. 

Pakistan ultimately lost the game by just five runs, could you believe it? A little cameo from the country's best-ever finisher would've certainly helped, but unfortunately, it didn't come off. 

But as they say, 'Comebacks are bigger than setbacks'.

There's only one way to rectify your failure, that is compensating for it in the most authoritative fashion. 

In comes the next World Cup. This time India crash out early, but Pakistan make their way into the final, yet again. This time the opponents are the Lankan Lions, ready to roar with their legendary lineup studded with the giants, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Lasith Malinga, Muttiah Muralitharan and of course, the mighty Sanath Jayasuriya.

Another World Cup final against another South-Asian rival. Out of everything, it once again required a successful run-chase for Afridi and Pakistan to erase the painful memories of the previous World Cup.

This time the Boom Boom doesn't miss out. He steps up and hammers his way through to a majestic 54. 

This time he doesn't slog, instead bats with a calm head, unlike the Shahid Afridi you, me and in fact, we all know. 

But for what? Because he knows it's his job to seize the day for Pakistan. It's his duty to execute what he couldn't do in Johannesburg two years ago. Moreover, there's a determination in his eyes to bring smiles back to the millions of Pakistani faces, who lived in agony for two long years.

It's all set for Pakistan. They need only seven to win with two overs and eight wickets left. Malinga bowls a yorker, Afridi misses, the ball hits his pads and Afridi runs. He reaches the other end and oh boy! There he raises his arms in triumph. The game gets over in the iconic Lord's and celebrations start in the streets of Lahore! Yes, it's Pakistani fans' beloved Lala who has done it for them, for the umpteenth time.

Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup: Five best knocks in the history of the tournament