David Warner revealed that his on-field exchange with Shaheen Afridi during day one of the first Australia vs Pakistan Test in Perth was nothing more than “normal banter”.
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Warner headlined the first day of the Australian Test summer as he smashed his way to a 26th Test ton, scoring 164 off 211 balls. Having been under fire from critics, including ex-teammate Mitchell Johnson, who had launched a scathing attack on him a few days back, Warner responded in style.
After reaching his century, Warner did his trademark leap in celebration and followed it up with a ‘shush’ gesture which he confirmed after the day’s play was directed towards the media.
“You saw what it was – it was a nice little quiet shush. [It was directed at] Just at anyone who wants to write stories about me and try to get headlines. That stuff doesn’t bother me. I’m allowed to celebrate how I want,” Warner said.
Warner also recounted an incident with Shaheen Afridi when both players were involved in a verbal exchange during the day’s play. He said that it was nothing serious and was just “normal banter”.
“You’ve got to try to apply pressure to their senior bowler in the first Test match. The chit chat is just normal stuff. He’s not trying to get under my skin or anything, it was just normal banter.”
Sweet little by-play between David Warner & Shaheen Afridi at the last drinks break. Got in each other’s way as they walked past & then both stood their ground refusing to move for a few seconds. All in good spirit of course #AusvPak
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 14, 2023
Shaheen Afridi is having fun with Warner 👀 Warner is thrashing them and they are having fun 🤐#PAKvAUS #PAKvsAUS #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/RGgfEmG4xe
— Cricket Uncut (@CricketUncutOG) December 14, 2023
Warner was especially harsh on Afridi through the day, scoring 43 runs off the 50 balls he faced from the left-arm seamer, including five fours and one six. The six he hit off Afridi left everyone surprised as he went down on one knee and pulled-scooped a length ball on off-stump over fine leg.
Afridi finished the day with figures reading 1-75 from 19 overs, while Australia finished with the score reading 346-5.
Warner and Afridi had been involved in another incident when these two sides met in a Test series last year, where both stood in close proximity, staring each other down, before breaking into smiles.
Shaheen and Warner love Story pic.twitter.com/QAi5G90RMC
— Cricket Chronicle 🏏🏏 (@cricchronicle1) December 13, 2023
