Shaheen Afridi also became the youngest bowler to take four wickets in a World Cup encounter at only 19 years and 84 days.
Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi (C) celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of Afghanistan's Rashid Khan during the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Headingley in Leeds, northern England, on June 29, 2019. (Photo by Lindsey Parnaby / AFP)
In Pakistan’s match against Afghanistan on Sunday, Shaheen Afridi recorded bowling figures of 4 wickets for 47 runs at an economy of 4.7 runs an over, thus becoming the youngest bowler with the record of the best bowling figures in the World Cup history.
Shaheen Afridi also became the youngest bowler to take four wickets in a World Cup encounter at only 19 years and 84 days. The previous record was held by John Blain of England who had accomplished the feat at 20 years and 240 days.
In the match, Afghanistan captain Gulbadin Naib was Shaheen’s first scalp. Furthermore, what pursued was a stunning delivery to the new man in, Hashmatullah Shahidi, who hurled it towards Imad Wasim for a dolly. He followed his brilliant first spell of bowling with another, grabbing the wickets of Najibullah Zadran and Rashid Khan in the 47th over of the Afghanistan innings to restrict their scoring rate.
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Shaheen bowled one of his best spells and consequently got his name etched in the record books as the youngest bowler to pick up a four-wicket haul in a World Cup match and also registering the best bowling figures by a teenager.
Notably, Shaheen has been remarkable in this World Cup for Pakistan picking up 10 wickets in four matches. Going forward in the tournament, Shaheen’s performance will be the key for Pakistan’s World Cup campaign.
With the triumph over the Afghans, Pakistan fans would be praying for an India win in the India-England encounter on Sunday. A defeat at Edgbaston would mean curtains for England’s World Cup campaign and also increase Pakistan’s likelihood of making it to the final four.
Pakistan meet Bangladesh in their last league game on 5 July, Friday. Irrespective of the result of the India-England clash, Pakistan must win the Bangladesh match to keep their hopes alive in the competition.
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