Shahid Afridi has polarised Pakistan cricket

The deposed captain has turned the public against the cricket board but his indisciplined past could negate any hope of justice.

Shahid Afridi has the Pakistani people's support.

With the latest instalment of the Shahid Afridi saga, we have seen yet another premature retirement from a cricketer along with the usual commotions which are prevalent in Pakistan cricket.

While this episode may not be the first time Afridi has made an announcement on retirement it is, however, the first time he has given away the shorter form of the game, one in which his swashbuckling skills are most effective.

What makes this even more fascinating is that it comes with the very simple condition that he is willing to consider reversing his decision if the board now running the game in Pakistan is replaced.

If Afridi is to be believed, the story so far is this: after being humiliated by the board and shown a lack of respect, he has lashed out at what he claims is nepotism within team selection and the so-called "Lahore" lobby which he believes has given preference to regionalism.

While opinions on the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) perceived incompetence is widespread and accepted among most, there is merit in analysing Afridi's stance on this matter and what he hopes to achieve.

From the day Afridi hit the fastest century ever off an astonishing 37 balls, he has become the darling of Pakistani cricket.

A handsome young teenager who could hit the ball out of the ground and bowl leg spin with great variety, he became an unexpected celebrity at a young age. The media wanted to speak to him and fans wanted the feel of that solid Pathan handshake.

The rapid rise in fame and stardom would not have helped and Afridi became known as somewhat of a party boy within the team. As his own value to the team began diminishing, his form started to dip.

It was the late Bob Woolmer who was able to bring out the best of Afridi through a given role and some direction. It was also around this time that Afridi was able to find religion as a calming influence on him as did the rest of the team. While it provided him with some direction away from the pitch, Afridi's impulsive urge to do something silly did not desert him.

Not including the run-ins he has had with opposition players and match referees, his other notable episodes include his notorious pitch gouging "dance" and a ball-biting incident.

These, on top of all the weird and wonderful statements he has made to the media, have come about often with little sense of their repercussions.

Through it all what has remained constant is the adoration of the fans for their superhero.

Attend any Pakistan cricket match and you are certain to be surrounded by "Boom Boom" banners.

Walk the streets of Pakistan or watch any Pakistan television channel and you will see Afridi with his Head & Shoulders hair or drinking a Pepsi. He is still one of the most sought after celebrities in Pakistan.

On the other side of the ring, you have the head of the PCB, the immovable object known as Ijaz Butt.

Afridi has made this chronicle into a media duel between the people's hero and a powerful administrator. Whether he is right or wrong, Afridi knows the masses will take his side. The media is being cleverly manipulated by the cricketer to gather support from the public.

As expected, political figures such as Rehman Malik, the interior minister, have stepped in to become mediators and gain popularity.

Afridi has even written to the Pakistan president for intervention on his behalf.

The PCB has responded the way it knows best - by flaunting its supremacy and suspending Afridi's contract.

They have served him with a "Show Cause" notice, detailing several breaches of the code of conduct.

He has, in effect, been prevented from playing cricket elsewhere including his expected stint with Hampshire, the English county side, for a Twenty20 tournament.

His teammates though have remained relatively quiet throughout the whole ordeal. That could mean two things: either Afridi himself has little support from his colleagues or they themselves are wary of the axe from the powers above. More likely it is a combination of both.

Afridi has of late come across as an agitated individual. His demeanour on the pitch and his remarks off it have clearly shown a man with a lot on his mind. His latest remarks to the media appear to be a means for him to release a build-up of anger within him for a long period.

Yet the timing of his complaints is clearly not well thought out.

The fact will remain that Afridi was content to play the pawn and work under a bungling board while he remained captain, and only spoke out when the position was revoked.

Furthermore, the fact that Afridi has had many run-ins in the past and during the West Indies tour he had another disagreement with Waqar Younis, the former fast bowler and national team coach, which supposedly led to his removal as leader, shows that he still has disciplinary issues to sort out.

Notwithstanding the motives of Afridi, he certainly cannot be doubted on one part of his stand.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and its management is in need of an overhaul.

The current administration has presided over some of the darkest periods of the game in the country.

It remains to be seen if Afridi is in it for the betterment of Pakistan cricket, or whether he is simply looking out for himself.

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