- Shaheen Shah Afridi is the first Pakistani pacer with two five-wicket hauls in World Cup history.
- He initially achieved a five-for-five in the 2019 World Cup against Bangladesh, recording figures of 6/35.
- Following in the footsteps of his father-in-law, Shahid Afridi, Shaheen Afridi is now the second Pakistani bowler with two World Cup five-wicket hauls.
In a breathtaking display of cricketing prowess, Australian openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh wreaked havoc on the Pakistani bowling lineup, scoring scintillating centuries and propelling their team to a formidable total of 367/9.
However, amidst the onslaught, Pakistan found a glimmer of hope in the form of left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, who delivered a stunning five-wicket haul, his second in the history of the World Cup.
Shaheen Afridi’s remarkable figures of 5/54 in 10 overs showcased his resilience and skill, making him only the second Pakistani bowler to claim two five-wicket hauls in the World Cup. His father-in-law, the legendary Shahid Afridi, was the sole Pakistani bowler to achieve this feat before him. The left-arm pacer’s first five-for came in the 2019 World Cup against Bangladesh, when he recorded exceptional figures of 6/35, making him the first Pakistani pacer to achieve such a feat in the World Cup.
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Facing the daunting task of defending a colossal target, Shaheen Afridi emerged as a lone warrior for Pakistan on a day when other bowlers struggled. Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali conceded runs at alarming rates, but Shaheen’s disciplined bowling restricted the Australian batters, preventing them from reaching an even more formidable total.
Afridi’s crucial breakthroughs included dismissing Mitchell Marsh for 129 and removing Glenn Maxwell in the very next delivery, breaking the formidable opening stand. He also claimed the wicket of Marcus Stoinis and posed a constant threat to the Australian tail.
The match is still in progress, and cricket enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting the outcome of this intense battle between bat and ball. As the excitement unfolds, Pakistan’s cricketing fans hope that their team can muster the courage and skill to mount a successful chase against Australia, turning this thrilling encounter into a memorable chapter in the annals of cricket history.
