After weeks of electrifying action, the T20 World Cup is finally coming to its conclusion, with a big encounter between England and Pakistan in the final at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Pakistan batsmen did not have a great outing in the first innings scoring just 137. England batsmen, who have been fine form, were expected to start off with a bang, and chase the score down easily. However, Shaheen Afridi had other plans.
Pakistan’s premier left-arm pacer struck in the very first over of the run chase. On the final ball of the opening over, Afridi bowled a delivery on the good length area, as the ball cut back in sharply and Hales couldn’t even read what happened. The ball went on to hit the middle stump and Afridi dismissed Hales to give Pakistan first blood in the run chase. The England opener could only muster 1 run from 2 balls.
This was a huge wicket for Pakistan as Alex Hales has been in tremendous form at the top of the order. In the semi-final, the right-hander smashed 86* and won the Man of the Match Award against India to lead the Three Lions to a 10-wicket win over the Men in Blue.
Shaheen Afridi came into the T20 World Cup after being out of the side for a long period of time due to an ACL injury. For the first couple of matches, Afridi wasn’t at the best of his rhythm, but from the third match onwards he has shown his true form. After going wicketless in the first two matches, he has taken up 11 wickets in 7 games.
