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Italian batter punishes Shaheen Afridi with brute-hitting in BBL match

Anurag Dasgupta

Shaheen taken to the cleaners in BBL [Source: @friendlycheema_/x.com] Shaheen taken to the cleaners in BBL [Source: @friendlycheema_/x.com]

Brisbane Heat acquired Shaheen Afridi’s services for the Big Bash League season with a lot of hope, as the Pakistan pacer had done well for his nation in the game’s shortest format. However, four games into the season and Shaheen has looked a pale shadow of his former self.

In the BBL clash against Adelaide Strikers, Shaheen was economical in his first two overs, giving away only 7 runs, but the tides turned in his third over when Matt Short and an Italian batter, Harry Manenti took him to the cleaners and punished the bowler with some brute-hitting.

Australian batter takes Shaheen Afridi to the cleaners

Chasing a tricky 180, the Strikers lost a flurry of wickets as Matthew Short held the fort and he was accompanied by Manenti as the duo started the repair work. They waited for Shaheen’s third over as Short started the carnage with a boundary of the very first ball.

He then took a single on the next delivery as Manenti snatched a double on the third ball of the over. However, the real hitting started on the last three balls as the batter showed no fear and punished Shaheen with three boundaries in a row as the left-arm seamer conceded 19 runs in his third over.

From conceding just 7 runs in the first two overs to going for 19 in the next, Shaheen’s spell was destroyed by Manenti in the crucual run-chase as the Pakistan star looked helpless.

Shaheen's woeful BBL journey so far

Brisbane Heat had pinned their bowling hopes on Shaheen Afridi, but within four matches, Shaheen has looked average on the Australian soil. In the first match against the Melbourne Renegades, the left-armer went for plenty of runs as he conceded 43 without taking a wicket.

In the following game against Perth Scorchers, things went from bad to worse as Shaheen was taken to the cleaners and conceded 49 runs after taking a solitary wicket. In the last match against Sydney Thunder, the Pakistan ODI skipper had an improved showing, but still had figures of 1/35.

In the clash against the Strikers, after delivering three overs, Shaheen was taken off the field as the pacer suffered a knee injury.