Emerging Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who has already put cricketing world on notice despite not playing any competitive cricket, has shown what he can do with the ball, during the ongoing Under-19 World Cup.
After suffering a defeat against Afghanistan, Pakistan played their second game of the World Cup campaign against Ireland. Thanks to match winning spell of speedster Afridi, Pakistan went on to beat the Irish side by nine wickets.
After losing the toss the Irish side was asked to bat first. With just 20 runs of the score board, Ireland lost their opening batsman Mark Donegan, who made 11. Pakistan got the needed opening in the game, as they managed to pickup wickets in quick succession and restricted opponents to 97 runs.
As Afridi was bought into the attack, things went worst for the Ireland side. He picketed up his first wicket in shape of Jamie Grassi (13), followed by the wickets of Morgan Topping (2), Harry Tector (3), Graham Kennedy (0), Aaron Cawley (0) and Max Neville (0).
The best bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler at U19 level - watch Shaheen Afridi strike six times against Ireland, conceding just 15 runs! 🙌 #PAKvIRE #U19CWC pic.twitter.com/ze1fQ46QQu
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) January 16, 2018
Afridi picked up six wickets in the game, while Hasan Khan bagged three wickets and Arshad Iqbal picked one.
Chasing 98, Pakistan comfortably chased the target on loss of a wicket. Muhammad Zaid Alam made unbeaten 43 while skipper Hasan Khan scored 27.
For his his superb bowling today (6-15) against Ireland in U19 World Cup, Afridi was awarded man of the match.