Shahid Afridi is considered a cricketing superstar for a reason. His enigmatic batting, which blows extremely hot and cold, makes for some enthralling viewing. When Shahid Afridi is on song, there is no better batsman in world cricket that you would want to see. Shahid Afridi’s big-hitting prowess has still not dimmed at the age of 40 and it was evident during his exhibition of batting in the Lanka Premier League 2020 encounter between Galle Gladiators and Jaffna Stallions at the Mahinda Rajapaksa stadium in Hambantota on Friday. Although Galle Gladiators lost the match despite Shahid Afridi’s heroics, it was a timely reminder of what he could do even at this point of time in his career.
The fact that it was in a ground like Hambantota, where the boundaries are more than 85 meters and six-hitting can become a problem showed the brilliance of Shahid Afridi. There is also an interesting backdrop. After having missed his flight to Sri Lanka, Shahid Afridi made it to the Lanka Premier League and played without completing quarantine period. Shahid Afridi proved to the health authorities he’s immune because he was infected with the coronavirus in June and has the anti-bodies. It was indeed a spectacular match for Shahid Afridi. Galle Gladiators chose to bat and they were given a good start by Danushka Gunathilaka. However, Duanne Olivier and Wanindu Hasaranga struck at regular intervals, with Olivier taking three wickets and Hasaranga taking two. After the end of 15 overs, Galle Gladiators were 98/5.
In stepped Shahid Afridi and he proceeded to change the entire course of the match. After playing out Hasaranga, Afridi launched into Binura Fernando as he smashed three fours in the 16th over to take Galle Gladiators past 100. In the 17th over, Afridi attacked the struggling Kyle Abbott by smashing two big sixes as 19 runs came in the over. However, there was carnage in the 18th over as Afridi blasted four sixes in five balls of Olivier to reach his fifty. In the same over, though, Olivier had his revenge as Afridi fell for 58 off 23 balls, with the knock consisting of three fours and six sixes. Shehan Jayasuriya hit two sixes in the last two overs as Galle Gladiators scored 77 runs in the last five overs to end with 175/8.
Afridi knock in vain
However, Shahid Afridi’s knock went in vain as Jaffna Stallions were boosted by a brilliant knock of 92 by Avishka Fernando. Afridi’s day got better as he bowled economically, conceding just 20 runs in his four overs. Although Jaffna Stallions had made a slow start, it was Avishka who played sheet anchor cum aggressor that stole the show at the end.
Avishka Fernando hit three sixes off Milinda Siriwardena and he notched up his fifty off 40 balls with another six off Asitha Fernando. Avishka found good support in former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik as the duo helped Jaffna Stallions cross the line with just three balls to spare as they won by eight wickets.
