Shahid Afridi has called it a day on his international career, but the former Pakistan cricket team captain is still playing franchise cricket. Afridi made his debut for the Quetta Gladiators tonight in the 2022 edition of the Pakistan Super League. The Gladiators are currently playing a match against the Islamabad United team.
Quetta Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed won the toss and invited Islamabad United to have a bat first. The Islamabad-based franchise got off to a dream start as the duo of Paul Stirling and Alex Hales blew away the Quetta Gladiators bowlers. Hales smashed a nine-ball 22 before losing his wicket, while Stirling raced to a 28-ball 58. The duo added 55 runs for the first wicket in just four overs.
The Gladiators conceded 100 runs inside the first eight overs, and it looked like the Islamabad-based franchise would finish with a total around 250. The Gladiators ensured that the total was below 250, but some brilliant batting from Azam Khan and Colin Munro guided Islamabad United to 229/4 in their 20 overs.
Khan smashed 65 runs off 35 deliveries, smacking two fours and six maximums, whereas Munro hit an unbeaten 39-ball 72* featuring three fours and five sixes. Mohammad Nawaz was the best bowler for Quetta Gladiators, with figures of 2/32. All other bowlers had an economy rate of more than 10.
Shahid Afridi leaked 67 runs in his four overs against Islamabad United
Shahid Afridi had a forgettable debut for Quetta Gladiators as he went for 67 runs in his four overs. Afridi managed to take the wicket of Azam Khan, but he conceded one four and eight sixes in his spell. Here’s how Twitter reacted to his performance:
Oh maaynn, Sarfaraz’s facial expressions are just priceless lmao.He can’t even say anything to Shahid Afridi 😭 Love to see Sarfaraz helpless in front of Afridi. He (Sarfaraz) trying so hard to keep his calm lmao😭 #QGvsIU #QGvsIU #ShahidAfridi pic.twitter.com/QhkoLNb6MK
— Snookum💫🇵🇸 (@thekhanfactor) February 3, 2022
It’s ok champ, you will come back stronger. We have got your back Boom Boom! 💜#ShahidAfridi #QGvsIU @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/TktP0jIKGh
— Maham Gillani (@dheetafridian__) February 3, 2022
Not a good day at office. 😥 But we believe that you will back stronger.🔥 Com’on 👍💜 #PSL7 #QGvsIU #ShahidAfridi pic.twitter.com/W8c83QoCpq
— Shahid Afridi Fan Club (@Crazy_Afridian) February 3, 2022
People who have seen Boom Boom #ShahidAfridi at his peak, it is painful to see him bowling like this. He’s not even a shadow of what he was a decade ago 💔😔
— abdul rafeh mughal (@r4rafeh) February 3, 2022
Stay Strong 🔙 Champ 💪
#IUvQG #QGvsIU pic.twitter.com/oHSlQGKvpx
Not a good day at office.😥 Come back strong Lala.👍💜 #QGvsIU #ShahidAfridi pic.twitter.com/NiRGBH2mhP
— Abubakar Khattak 🇵🇸 (@AbubakarKhatt17) February 3, 2022
This is how Sarfaraz controlled his anger on bad bowling of Shahid Afridi.#Lala #ShahidAfridi pic.twitter.com/pWODeaouLS
— Tehseen Qasim (@Tehseenqasim) February 3, 2022
Not a good day at office.😥
— faisal Ra-ج-put (@itz_Sinnerrr) February 3, 2022
Come back strong Lala.💔#QGvIU#ShahidAfridi pic.twitter.com/65Ygij2His
I had no clue that Shahid Afridi is still playing in the PSL. I thought he retired from all forms of cricket some time back.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) February 3, 2022
67 in 4 Overs By Shahid Afridi is the Most Expensive Spell Of Bowling By in PSL History.
— Fatima Mohsin 🇵🇰 (@MahamOfficial_2) February 3, 2022
Most expensive spell by a spinner in PSL’s history : Shahid Afridi.
— Usama Zafar (@Usama7) February 3, 2022
Most expensive spell by a pacer in PSL’s history : Shaheen Afridi. #psl7