Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi produced two rapid deliveries in Pakistan’s warm-up fixture against Afghanistan. The first saw him trap Rahmanullah Gurbaz lbw, while the other clattered into Hazratullah Zazai’s leg stump.
The pacer, who has not played competitive cricket since Pakistan’s tour to Sri Lanka in July, was firing on all cylinders against Afghanistan. In his very first over, he bowled a sizzling yorker that curved into Gurbaz at the last moment. The batter tried to jam his bat down in time but failed to do so as the ball smashed into the boot.
Gurbaz could be seen hobbling after being given out by the umpire, due to Shaheen’s searing pace, and had to be carried from the field by one of his Afghanistan team-mates. Shaheen made sure to check on him before he left the field.
An over later, Shaheen bowled another brisk delivery, this time, breezing past Zazai’s defences. The ball was slanted into leg stump, and the batter, who was making room for himself, could not make any contact. The ball thudded into the base of leg stump, with Shaheen bringing out his trademark celebration.
Shaheen’s return from injury is a sight for sore Pakistan fans’ eyes. He remains a crucial cog for Pakistan at the T20 World Cup. With him bowling in this fashion, Pakistan fans might even be dreaming of another T20 World Cup victory against India come Sunday.
Watch the Shaheen dismissals v Afghanistan below:
