[Watch] When Shaheen Afridi Smashed Mohammed Amir In 'De Villiers' Style 

image-lqddo2uhWhen Shaheen smacked Amir (screengrab)

Pakistan fast-bowler Shaheen Afridi is renowned for his new-ball expertise and magical swing against the batters, but very few also recognise the earnest cricketer for his handy lower-order batting capabilities. 

Since being tasked with extra responsibility down the order in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Lahore Qalandars, Shaheen has transformed into an understated powerhitter for his PSL franchise as well as Pakistan's limited-overs outfit.

The PSL 2020 can be traced back as a turning point for his batting avatar as the 23-year-old has since smashed his 208 runs at a whopping strike rate of 161.24 for the Qalandars, including 15 fours and 17 maximums over 21 innings. 

When Shaheen Outfoxed Amir In PSL Final

It was during the 2020 edition of Pakistan's premier domestic T20 league that Shaheen produced possibly the moment of his batting career for the Qalandars. Playing the marquee final of the tournament at the National Stadium against hosts Karachi Kings, the left-hander outfoxed prominent seamer Mohammad Amir in legend AB de Villiers' inimitable style. 

Initially shaping up to lap Amir's attempted yorker over the vacant deep fine-leg region after shuffling wide outside the off-stump, the cricketer completely outthought his Kings counterpart by suddenly executing a glide over the short-third fielder for a boundary in a stroke that would've delighted the great De Villiers. 


Amir did adjust his line seeing Shaheen move early but was still beaten by the youngster's presence of mind as he switched from aiming behind square on the leg-side to the opposite direction for four invaluable runs towards Qalandars' kitty. 

Shaheen played an attractive cameo of an unbeaten 12 off just 4 deliveries in the low-scoring bout, which, however, eventually fell in Karachi's favour. But the young seamer would've gained immense confidence by performing against one of Pakistan's finest pacers under the pressure of a 20th over.