Requested Shahid Afridi To Have A Word Before T20 World Cup Game Against India - Shaheen Afridi
Published - 26 Apr 2022, 06:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:08 AM
Ace Pakistani pacer Shaheen Afridi has recalled asking his to-be father-in-law and former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi for some tips ahead of the big match against India in last year’s T20 World Cup 2021 which was played in UAE and Oman.
Pakistan had never defeated India in a World Cup game. The numbers made rounds on headlines of match previews and on social media as the big day approached.
However, history was made on October 24, 2021, as Shaheen Afridi’s three wickets and top quality knock from captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan led to Pakistan beating India by 10 wickets for the first time in a World Cup match.
Shaheen was the kingpin as he hurt India at the start by removing Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early in the game before getting rid of then India captain Virat Kohli in the death overs to restrict the team to just 151 for seven. Shaheen finished with 3 for 31 in four overs.
Since I Had Played Just One Match Against India, I Requested Shahid Afridi To Have A Word With Me: Shaheen Afridi
Speaking to Geo Super on Tuesday, Shaheen revealed that he was keen to make the most of the India game in the T20 World Cup and hence had requested Shahid Afridi to have a word with him.
“When we had that match against India in the T20 World Cup, I requested Lala to have a word with me. Because before that I played just one match against India, that too in Asia Cup, with was in One-Day format. And this was a T20 game and we never won a World Cup game against India.
“So I thought that this was a big opportunity for me. So I called Lala for some tips and asked him, ‘What different do I do today?’. He gave me very good advice and told, ‘Do something so that the entire stadium notices only Shaheen’ and give your 100 percent in bowling and fielding. I just did that and we got the results,” he said.
Pakistan went on to reach the semi-finals of the tournament, where Matthew Wade hit three consecutive sixes off Shaheen Afridi to take Australia to victory and eliminate Pakistan.
