Afridi couldn’t have had a more flawless evening on a ground that made enough noise whenever the Pakistan skipper was in action.
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This seeming lack of logic is one big reason behind Afridi’s ability to draw interest. The 20-year-old, who missed a couple of games in the Asia Cup T20 due to a side strain, was seen training on the eve of the game but Mortaza reckoned that the management did not want to take a risk with his fitness.
Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said that the team’s troubled build-up to the tournament did not mean they should be written off. T20 cricket is like that.
Kolkata: Gorging on Indian cuisine, watching inspiring movies and buying expensive gifts for their families back home, the Pakistan cricketers are savouring every moment of their stay here. He scored a quick 49 runs and picked two wickets against Bangladesh. “For the best shot you have in your cricketing career, you can get four or six… and you can also get out”. Al-Amin Hossain was clobbered for maximum over mid-on, Taskin Ahmed was slapped over cover boundary, and Shakib Al Hasan slammed over mid-on. He rotated the strike during his 42-run partnership with Hafeez, who top scored for Pakistan with 64. I was hungry. I was keen to perform well for my country in this event. As senior player, I had to lead by example. We have been struggling in batting, so we would need to concentrate more on that aspect.
Hafeez was all praise for Afridi’s effort, which came under enormous pressure following his comments about finding love in India. This shows the kind of character he has got. It’s always pleasing to see him come up and play shots everywhere. Every game is a pressure for us. “That performance will boost his confidence and of the whole team”, Hafeez said.
Bangladesh was never really in the hunt and its innings got off to a terrible start when opener Soumya Sarkar was bowled by Mohammad Amir with only the third ball. Tamim Iqbal (24) sent the first ball of that Afridi over for a six into the stands beyond midwicket, and in the next over, he lifted Shoaib Malik over extra-cover for another six. Shakib batted very well and we got 150, so its not that bad.
India, Pakistan and Eden Gardens.
“They have been playing good cricket though they lost their last game”, said Afridi.
Unfazed by the developments off the field, the team started off the tournament with a crushing victory over Bangladesh with Afridi’s superlative all-round performance being the icing on the cake. As for those who love the illogical and madness: long live Afridiness.
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Hafeez, alongside Ahmed Shehzad, shared a 95-run partnership in 11 overs, setting an excellent platform for Pakistan’s middle-order.
