New Zealand v Pakistan 2023/24

Watch: Finn Allen smashes first-time captain Shaheen Afridi for 24 runs, his most expensive T20 over ever

by Wisden Staff January 12, 2024 - 7:54am 1 minute read

Shaheen Afridi conceded 24 runs in his second over on captaincy debut in the first T20I against New Zealand today (January 12) and was hit for five successive boundaries by Finn Allen.

Shaheen started the game in typical fashion, bagging a customary wicket in the first over. He dismissed Devon Conway on the second ball of the match with a full delivery that angled outside off stump, handing the Black Caps the early disadvantage. The first over by the quick went for just one run, with Shaheen sending down five consecutive dots as New Zealand were 1-1 by the first over.

Things soon went downhill for Shaheen when he came on to bowl to Allen in his next over, giving 6, 4, 4, 4 and 6 in his next five balls.

How Shaheen’s second over panned out

Ball 2.1: Shaheen attempted a yorker but missed his length as Allen swung hard for the ball. His hands came off the bat but it was powerful enough to go for a six.

2.2: A low full toss was driven for a boundary towards mid-off.

2.3: Directed at Allen’s shoes, the batter used the pace of the ball to send it towards short fine for a four.

2.4: A half volley once again driven to the left of mid-off for a four.

2.5: Another failed yorker landed in the arc for Allen, who smashed it away for the second six of the over.

2.6: Some respite for Shaheen as he finally nailed the yorker and ended his most expensive over in T20Is with a dot.

Shaheen’s most expensive T20I over previously was against Australia in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup in 2021, when he gave away 21 runs in the 19th over in the tight run-chase.

Shaheen ended the innings against New Zealand with 3-46, also dismissing Daryl Mitchell and Adam Milne.