Haris Rauf Explains Reason Behind His "Apologizing Celebration" After Dismissing Shahid Afridi

The second qualifier of the ongoing 2020 edition of Pakistan Super League witnessed an incredible moment between Lahore Qalandar’s Haris Rauf and Multan Sultans’ Shahid Afridi. The two teams got engaged in a breakneck battle in Karachi to face Karachi Kings in the final of the tournament. Haris Rauf, who apologised on the field for dismissing Shahid Afridi, has explained the reason for the same.

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The incident occurred in the 14th over when Lahore Qalanders were gradually coming back into the match with quick wickets. With Rilee Rossouw departing in the fourth ball of that over, it pegged back Multan Sultans significantly in pursuit of 183. Shahid Afridi was the key man in the chase; however, Haris Rauf stunned him with a brilliant yorker first-up. The yorker went between the veteran all-rounder’s legs to shatter the stumps as Rauf soon after joined hands to apologize.

When asked by the commentator why Haris Rauf did what he did, the pacer acknowledged that since Shahid Afridi was one of the senior players and prodigy in Pakistan cricket, he wanted to do it as a sign of respect if he gets his wicket. “Since he is a senior player, I had in my mind I will do this style if I get his wicket,” Rauf claimed three victims that included dismissing Afridi, Rossouw, and keeper-batsman Zeeshan Ashraf.

Shahid Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Multan Sultans:

While Afridi could not perform magic with the bat, he bowled an excellent spell of 4-0-18-2. The leggie claimed two crucial wickets of Lahore Qalanders in Mohammad Hafeez and Ben Dunk, both of who were significant in defeating Peshawar Zalmi in the qualifier. From 111-5 at one stage, Lahore raced to 182 on the back of David Wiese’s power-hitting. Wiese’s unbeaten knock of 48 off 21 deliveries and his partnership of 59 with Samit Patel lifted their side to a formidable total.

The South African all-rounder was especially ruthless at the death against Junaid Khan and Sohail Tanvir, both of who conceded 94 runs between them for only two wickets. Wiese came back to register bowling figures of 4-0-27-3, using his clever variations to bowl out Multan for 157 and setting up the final against Karachi Kings. He deservedly received the man of the match award too for his all-round performances.

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