Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi got Pakistan’s T20 World Cup final defence off to the perfect start, bowling Alex Hales in the first over of England’s chase.
Shaheen has had a resurgent finish to the T20 World Cup after returning from injury, taking 10 wickets in Pakistan’s four must-win games against Netherlands, South Africa, Bangladesh and New Zealand, and began his spell in the showpiece clash in sensational style.
Defending 137, Pakistan needed to start well with the ball, and Shaheen, as he so often does, delivered. His fourth ball almost dismissed Jos Buttler, snaking past the outside-edge to prompt a caught-behind appeal, while there was no need to wait for confirmation as Alex Hales faced up for his second delivery.
Bowling with a perfectly angled seam, Shaheen got the ball to shape and nip back in off the pitch, with Hales nowhere near hitting the ball. The middle stump was pegged back via Hales’ pad, with Pakistan celebrating raucously.
Watch Shaheen bowl Hales below:
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