Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up a trademark new-ball wicket in the third Pakistan-New Zealand T20I today (April 17), clean-bowling Chad Bowes with the final ball of his second over.
Shaheen, renowned for his accuracy in the powerplay, rarely failing to target the stumps, endured an unusually wayward start. His first ball flew down the leg-side for five wides, and the re-bowled delivery was hit for four by Tom Latham.
From there, however, the Black Caps struggled to get him away. His next ten balls went for just five runs, including a close lbw shout, reviewed by Babar Azam but revealed to be umpire’s call.
The final ball of the second over needed no re-adjudication, homing in on leg stump, beating Bowes’ attempted stroke, and dislodging the timber from the ground. Shaheen immediately turned and pointed to Pakistan captain Babar Azam, perhaps indicating that a piece of bowling advice had paid off.
Pakistan lead 2-0 in the five-match series.
Watch Shaheen clean-bowl Bowes below:
Perfection 👌@iShaheenAfridi sends the stumps flying ⚡#PAKvNZ | #CricketMubarak pic.twitter.com/oNPqF6j1M5
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 17, 2023
