Shahid Afridi spices up Ajman tournament

Dubai: Pakistan allrounder Shahid Afridi surprised all and sundry who were playing in the semi-final of the Ajman Cricket Council’s Mulk Holding Twenty20 Challenge Cup on Sunday at the ICC Global Cricket Academy. He turned up to play for the Dubai Lions team against Danube Lions and topscored for his team with 38 runs, though he had to finish on the losing side.

Bilal Shaikh, who invited Afridi to play for his team, said: “Afridi is a friend and when I requested him to play for our team, he readily agreed. He not only batted and bowled but also spoke to everyone in our team on how to give a good performance and also on strategies for winning matches.”

Pakistan opener Ahmad Shehzad also played for Dubai Lions.

For Danube Lions, it was a shock to see Afridi in the rival camp but they refused to be affected by the star’s presence and won the match by four wickets to clinch a place in the final.

Anees Sajan, the owner of Danube Lions, expressed delight that his team had reached the final but also highlighted the opportunity for his players to play against the star allrounder. “Afridi was gracious enough to shake hands with our players and even wish our team success in the final,” Sajan said.

Batting first, Dubai Lions were bowled out for 129 runs despite Afridi’s knock off 34 balls without his usual huge big hits. After opener Ahmad Shehzad got bowled for eight by Zahoor Khan, Afridi who walked in at No 4 revived the middle order along with Afzal Shah, who scored 31. Danube’s Yasir Shah picked up the prize wicket of Afridi just as he was beginning to find his touch. Khan, who took 3 wickets conceding 17 runs, and Asif Iqbal, who ended with bowling figures of 4 for 20, cut short Dubai Lions innings.

Danube chased down the target with Samiullah Younus’ 36 and Andri Berenger’s 23 setting up the game for them. Though Afridi bowled brilliantly, Danube’s Adnan Mufti and Vikrant Shetty ensured victory for their team in 17.4 overs.