Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi let a verbal volley fly at the opposition No.11 batter Shahnawaz Dahani during the Champions One-Day Cup on Friday (September 20).
In Friday's match, Nurpur Lions took on UMT Markhors. Batting first, the Shaheen-led Lions put up an imposing 367-6 thanks to fifties from openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq, as well as a massive 147-run stand between Irfan Khan Niazi (100*) and Khushdil Shah (73).
In reply, the Markhors were given a solid start by Fakhar Zaman (82), but they lost wickets at regular intervals. Even a blistering cameo from Salman Ali Agha (69 off 39 balls) could not get them close to the target.
The Markhors lost their ninth wicket in the 48th over, bringing No.11 Shahnawaz Dahani to the crease with 48 runs needed off 16 balls. As Dahani walked in, the commentators noted that he had a big smile on his face, as if "he was in on a joke nobody else was."
Dahani was facing up to Shaheen, who had already conceded 85 runs in 9.2 overs. The first ball was short and outside off stump, and Dahani let it go. Off the second ball, he timed a forward defence to perfection, giving Shaheen a massive grin as he did so.
Shaheen banged the next ball in short, and Dahani swayed out of the way. He then began to yell at Dahani, saying "Maar. Seedha khel," (Hit it, play straight). Dahani looked confused at Shaheen's reaction, even as the bowler made his way back to his mark.
It is unclear whether Shaheen was letting off some steam, sledging the batter, or whether he was genuinely concerned about Dahani's technique and wanted him to take a safer approach towards dealing with short balls.
Off the next ball, a full one, Dahani cleared his front leg and swung down the ground, hitting it straight back. His timing was off though, and he could collect only a single. That was the end of the over, and they exchanged a few more pleasant words then.
Watch Shaheen Shah Afridi yell at Shahnawaz Dahani here
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