The best bowler on the pitch in Sunday’s T20WC encounter between India and Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s spell restricted the Men in Blue to a manageable total of 151/7 in 20 overs.
The 21-year-old got rid of the dangerous Rohit Sharma off the very first delivery of the game, with the Hitman getting trapped in front of the stumps. He also got the crucial wicket of KL Rahul in his second over before returning to scalp the talismanic Virat Kohli in his final over of the game.
Afridi, who finished with impressive figures of 4-0-31-3 despite going for 17 in his final over, admitted it was his plan to try and get at least one of the top three Indian batsmen back to the pavilion as quickly.
“It was good that I could execute my plans. I worked in the nets yesterday on my swing, because it becomes difficult for me if it doesn’t swing.
Early on, I just wanted to get wickets so it’ll be advantageous for my team.
The ball is coming on to the bat, so hopefully, we’ll chase this down comfortably”
Shaheen was quoted as saying during the mid-innings conversation.
In response, Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan were unfazed, chasing the tricky total with calculated risks, to emerge on top in what was eventually a comfortable chase for the Pakistani openers.
Unsurprisingly, Afridi was adjudged player of the match, as Pakistan won their first-ever World Cup game against neighbours India.
Learn more 👉 Kohli admits India were ”outplayed” by Pakistan in 2021 World Cup opener
