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When Matthew Wade Bullied Shaheen Afridi With 3 Slapping Sixes In T20 World Cup Semis

Akshita Patel

Matthew Wade hammered Shaheen Afridi in T20 World Cup semis (@SalmanAsif2007/X.com)Matthew Wade hammered Shaheen Afridi in T20 World Cup semis (@SalmanAsif2007/X.com)

On November 11, 2021, Pakistan star pacer Shaheen Afridi faced the wrath of Australian wicket-keeper Matthew Wade. Clashing in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, Wade hammered three back-to-back sixes off Afridi’s penultimate over to complete a dramatic chase and cruise his side to the finals.

Back in the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan had a golden opportunity to end their ICC trophy drought. The familiar conditions of UAE suited them perfectly as they went unbeaten in the group stages. Moreover, beating arch-rivals India by 10 wickets further boosted their morale and confidence.

However, the men in green hit a speed-breaker in the semi-finals when they were pitted against mighty Australia. Pakistan set up a decent 176/4 total in the first innings and gained the upper hand in the second innings by reducing Australia to 96/5 in 12.2 overs. 

Odds favoured Pakistan, but Matthew Wade and Marcus Stoinis stepped out to challenge their fate. Together, the duo knitted an 81-run partnership, with Wade being far more aggressive than his partner. 

When Matthew Wade humbled Shaheen Afridi with incredible hitting

With 22 needed off 12 balls, Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s most trusted pacer, was called in to bowl the penultimate over. Hasan Ali dropped Wade’s catch on the third delivery, which marked the beginning of the carnage.

Wade was pumped and scooped Afridi’s yorker for a giant six to fine leg. The bowler was stunned, and the audacity of that shot put him under pressure. Meanwhile, Wade saw sweat drooling over Afridi’s face, and he charged another maximum over deep mid-wicket, bringing down the equation to just 6 off 7 balls. 

For the final ball, Afridi went for a yorker again, and Matthew Wade was prepared to scuffle across and scoop an incredible winning six just behind the keeper’s shoulder. Wade (41* off 17) won a final seat for Australia, whereas a dejected Afridi was on his knees, trying to come to terms with Wade’s carnage. 

Prior to the fixture, nobody expected Shaheen Afridi to be taken to the cleaners, but Matthew Wade demonstrated that with the right intent and smart shot selection, anything is possible. Australia went on to beat New Zealand in the finals and win the 2021 T20 World Cup.