Watch: Shaheen Shah Afridi made his debut in The Hundred a special one, taking two wickets with his first two balls to set Welsh Fire on the victory path against Manchester Originals.
However, we went the distance thereafter, conceding five boundaries in his last six balls.
Shaheen’s debut in The Hundred has been hotly anticipated in England, with the Pakistan speedster picked up in the second highest price bracket in the 2023 draft. The left-arm quick has developed a reputation as one of the most devastating and watchable in the world game, and he showed exactly why with his first two balls.
Defending 95 in a rain-shortened 40-ball game, he had England opener Phil Salt in his sights first up. The 26-year-old lasted just one ball, with Shaheen swinging the ball back in from over the wicket and pinning Salt in front. He reviewed, but to no avail, with the in-swing allowing the ball to pitch in line and crash into the stumps.
His next ball was even better, with Laurie Evans helpless as Shaheen nailed a pinpoint, hooping yorker. He was hit on the boot and had to go on his way.
However, Shaheen was then taken to the cleaners by Manchester Originals No.4 Max Holden, who hit him for five fours in six balls, with the bowler having been kept on for a second consecutive set of five balls.
Manchester Originals weren’t able to keep up the fightback, finishing on 85-4 as Welsh Fire wrapped up a nine-run win. Welsh Fire lost eight out of eight in 2022, and the Shaheen effect has already seen them better that record.
Watch Shaheen Shah Afridi take two wickets in two balls below:
This is @iShaheenAfridi, everyone 🦅 #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/NGhPJZ9QqX
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 2, 2023
