‘But this is final’ – Former pacer wanted Shaheen Afridi to continue fighting despite his injury in 20-20 World Cup final
Pakistan finished second in the 20-20 World Cup in Australia after one of the most unpredictable campaigns.
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Nov 15, 2022 5:45 pm
Shaheen Afridi (Source: Twitter)
Pakistan finished second in the 20-20 World Cup in Australia after one of the most unpredictable campaigns. They started the tournament with three straight losses and were on the verge of elimination. However, the team gained momentum, and with the Netherlands pulling off the biggest upset of the tournament against South Africa, Pakistan advanced to the knockout stages.
The team then defeated New Zealand by seven wickets, but their winning streak came to an end in the final match against England. Sam Curran and Ben Stokes guided the team to an easy win by five wickets at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
When your main bowler becomes unfit, then it creates problem for you: Shoaib Akhtar
In addition, Pakistan’s strike bowler Shaheen Afridi was forced to leave the field before completing his full quota. While fielding, the pacer injured his knee. Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar provided an unusual assessment of Shaheen’s fitness.
“When your main bowler becomes unfit, then it creates problem for you. Shaheen (Afridi) was never fully fit, but we cannot put the entire blame on him as he bowled well in the past 2-3 matches. But this is World Cup final. Even if the leg breaks. Whatever happens, happens. Just keep running and do something. But this was not in our fortune,” Akhtar said during an interaction with Zee News.
When asked if Pakistan should have rested Shaheen for the final, Akhtar believes the pacer should have taken painkillers instead. “When you numb your feet, the pain is not felt. Yes, you are risking the career of the young man. It is a World Cup final, whether you can risk or not that you have to think as a captain. It is a tough decision,” he said.
When Shaheen left the field, the equation read 41 needed off 29 deliveries, with Iftikhar Ahmed arriving to deliver the final five balls. The spinner gave up 13 runs in the next five balls, swinging the momentum completely in England’s favour.
