Pakistan teenager Shaheen Shah Afridi was on fire on Thursday in his side’s 45-run demolition of Australia in the T20 tri-series in Harare.
The 18-year-old picked up his first international wicket for Pakistan on the way to returning with figures of 3-37 in Pakistan’s big win at the Harare Sports Club.
After Pakistan had put up 194-7 on the board, their bowlers shone as Australia were restricted to 149-7 in their 20 overs.
The left-arm pacer showed terrific skills with the ball in picking up the big wickets of the in-form Aaron Finch, D’Arcy Short and Glenn Maxwell to pave the way for a comprehensive Pakistan victory.
After the victory, the left-armed pacer revealed that he had been planning the wickets of Finch and Maxwell since Wednesday.
“Since yesterday I was planning to get the wickets of those two players (Finch and Maxwell) which is why I am glad it worked out perfectly,” he said.
Short’s stumps are rattled by Afridi.
The youngster had credited his experience of playing in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for the Lahore Qalandars earlier this year for his mature display on Thursday.
“After PSL, I don’t feel any pressure going into an international game and it aids in calming my nerves,” the teenager said.
The young prodigy also has fond memories of his dismissal of his namesake Shahid Afridi during the PSL although he clarified that the two share no direct relation.
“I was pleased to pick up his wicket during a PSL match as he is such a big star in international cricket. I was hit for a six before on the ball before I dismissed him, which made the moment more special,” the pacer stated.
“Although we hail from the same community, we are not direct relatives,” he added.
Thursday’s clash against Australia was only the second international appearance for the young Afridi after he made his Pakistan debut in a T20I against the West Indies in April this year.
