Shaheen Shah Afridi made a sensational return to the Pakistan playing XI during their Super 8 clash against England, unleashing a devastating spell in the powerplay overs. The left-arm pace spearhead ripped through England’s top order, claiming three crucial wickets within his initial three overs. This impactful performance comes after Afridi was controversially dropped for Pakistan’s match against Namibia in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, a decision that drew considerable debate following his struggles against Indian batters.
Afridi was also absent from Pakistan’s initial Super 8 fixture against New Zealand, a match unfortunately abandoned due to persistent rain. However, the team management opted to reinstate the formidable bowler for the high-stakes encounter against the Harry Brook-led England side, recognising his potent ability to change the complexion of a game.
The decision to bring Afridi back proved astute almost immediately. On the very first ball of England’s 165-run chase, he struck, sending Phil Salt back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers. Afridi continued his onslaught in his second over, dismantling the stumps of England captain Jos Buttler, who could only manage a meagre 2 runs from 3 deliveries.
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha maintained faith in his star bowler, and Afridi repaid that trust in his third over by dismissing Jacob Bethell. Bethell had managed to score 8 runs off 10 balls before falling victim to Afridi’s relentless pressure. This triple strike in the powerplay significantly dented England’s chase and put Pakistan firmly in control of the match.
Pakistan’s Batting Effort
Earlier in the day, the Men in Green had set a competitive target of 164/9 from their allotted 20 overs. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was the standout performer with the bat, crafting a brilliant 63 runs off just 45 deliveries. His innings was a masterclass in strokeplay, featuring seven boundaries and two towering sixes.
Other notable contributions came from the experienced Babar Azam, who scored a steady 25 off 24 balls, and Fakhar Zaman, who provided valuable impetus with a quickfire 25 from 16 deliveries. All-rounder Shadab Khan also chipped in with a vital 23 runs from a mere 11 balls, ensuring Pakistan had a respectable total to defend.
England’s Bowling Response
For England, the bowling attack was spearheaded by Liam Dawson, who proved to be their most effective bowler on the day. Dawson claimed three wickets, putting a brake on Pakistan’s scoring at crucial junctures. Jofra Archer and Jamie Overton also made their presence felt, with each bowler securing two wickets to their name, contributing to Pakistan’s final score being kept below the 170-run mark.
The return of Shaheen Shah Afridi to form in such a critical match highlights his importance to the Pakistan bowling attack. His ability to deliver under pressure, particularly in the crucial powerplay overs, makes him a formidable opponent for any batting lineup in the T20 World Cup. His three-wicket haul against England not only shifted the momentum of the game but also served as a strong statement after his recent omission. The performance underscored his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in the shortest format of the game.
