Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan heaped praise on Shaheen Shah Afridi for his match-winning spell against New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney on Wednesday. Pathan feels gave Afridi gave his best despite not being 100% fit.
Afridi was not at his absolute best in the first two matches against India and Zimbabwe as he went wicketless and thus Pakistan went on to lose both of these games. However, the gun fast bowler returned to form as he scalped four wickets against Bangladesh in the virtual quarterfinal clash.
The lanky paceman continued his good show against the Kiwis in the big match. Afridi struck on the third ball of the match as he plumbed Finn Allen in front of the wickets.
The ace pacer then dismissed a well-settled Kane Williamson at the fag end of the innings. Afridi scalped two wickets and conceded only 24 runs in his quota of four overs to play an instrumental role in restricting New Zealand to 152 runs.
Irfan Pathan said on Star Sports, “I appreciate him a lot. The reason for that is that he is a left-arm bowler who gets the ball to swing and puts in all his effort. But he is not 100% fit. If you talk to him, you will come to know, if you watch his bowling, you will come to know.”
“He does not have the full strength in his knees but he gave all his effort for his team and found a way when he was not 100% fit. It is a sign of a good player who is an extremely good teammate. Every team wants a player who gives his life like that.”
Afridi continued his love affair of striking in the very first over when he removed Finn Allen. It was a crucial wicket for Pakistan as Allen is known to score runs at a brisk pace.
“He started coming back in form the Bangladesh match. We have seen his love for wickets in the first over for many years. These were not the conditions to bowl full and hit the pads to get wickets. He got the wicket but before that also the umpire had given it out but it was not out.”
“Then coming back and bowling around the wicket to dismiss Kane Williamson. It was a wicket of great intelligence, first swing and then a slower one. You don’t want to give pace to Kane Williamson. He cannot generate the power at all when you bowl the slower ones on such a slow pitch.”
Afridi has taken 10 wickets in six matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Pakistan will face either England or India in the final of the showpiece on Sunday at the MCG.
