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In a thrilling encounter at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Shaheen Afridi delivered a moment of magic that left fans in awe and batters in disbelief. Playing for the Lions against the Panthers in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024, the Pakistani pace spearhead produced a delivery that evoked memories of the legendary Wasim Akram.
Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell keeps Panthers in check
Afridi, known for his ability to generate searing pace and prodigious swing, struck in the second ball of his spell. Pitching the ball on a perfect off-stump line, he made it dart away late, drawing the edge of Umar Siddiq‘s bat. The keeper completed a comfortable catch, sending the batter packing.
The dismissal was a testament to Afridi’s skill and control, as he combined his natural talent with the guile and deception that made Akram one of the greatest bowlers of all time.
Here’s the video:
The Eagle has his prey 🦅 o/ #DiscoveringChampions #BahriaTownChampionsCup #NurpurLionsvLakeCityPanthers pic.twitter.com/jEyZCDVCoC
— Bahria Town Champions Cup (@championscuppcb) September 16, 2024
Also WATCH: 4,4,4,4,4 – Babar Azam brutally destroys Shahnawaz Dahani in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024
Despite the early breakthrough, the Panthers managed to recover from a precarious position thanks to a gritty partnership between Mubaisr Khan and Haider Ali. The duo put on a 90-run stand, with both batters scoring fluent half-centuries. Skipper Shadab Khan also chipped in with a valuable 37, helping the Panthers reach a respectable total of 283 before being bowled out in the 47th over. Afridi finished with impressive figures of 3/57 from his 9.5 overs, while Ahmed Daniyal also claimed three wickets for the Lions.
Afridi’s performance comes on the back of a decent outing in his team’s opening game against The Stallions, where he picked up two wickets, including the prized scalp of Babar Azam. However, his economy rate of 7.00 was a concern, and the Lions will be hoping for an improved showing from their spearhead as the tournament progresses.
Lions aim to bounce back after a disappointing start
The Lions, currently placed at the bottom of the points table, will be looking to bounce back from their opening game defeat against the Stallions. With a net run rate of -2.660, they will need to turn things around quickly if they are to make a mark in the tournament.
Afridi’s heroics with the ball will undoubtedly boost the team’s morale, but they will need other players to step up and support their star bowler. The batting unit, in particular, will need to find its rhythm and put up competitive totals to give the bowlers something to defend.
As the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 gathers momentum, all eyes will be on Shaheen Afridi and his Lions teammates to see if they can channel the spirit of their legendary predecessors and make a strong comeback in the tournament.
