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Best White-Ball Spells Of Shaheen Afridi That Broke India Time And Again

Soumyajit Dutta

Shaheen Afridi [Source: @ICC/X.com]Shaheen Afridi [Source: @ICC/X.com]

When Shaheen Afridi steams in against India, history tells us fireworks are imminent. As Pakistan's pace spearhead gears up for another high-octane Asia Cup clash with their arch-rivals, his reputation as a giant-slayer precedes him. Few bowlers command the kind of attention Shaheen does when facing the Indian batting juggernaut in white-ball cricket. 

Afridi's ability to swing the new ball lethally and dismantle top orders has produced some of his most electrifying and match-defining spells. With the highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter once again on the horizon, we revisit Shaheen Afridi's most devastating white-ball performances against the Men in Blue.

3) 2/36 in Ahmedabad (ODI)

Afridi provided Pakistan with early breakthroughs in their high-voltage World Cup 2023 clash against India in Ahmedabad, but could not prevent a crushing defeat. The left-arm pacer dismissed both Indian openers, Shubman Gill for 16 and Rohit Sharma for a blazing 86, to give Pakistan hope after setting a modest 191-run target. 

Shaheen bowled with intent, troubling India’s top order and finishing with figures of 2 for 36 in his 6 overs. However, his effort was not enough as India’s middle order, led by Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 53 and KL Rahul’s 19*, comfortably chased down the target in just 30.3 overs. While Shaheen’s early strikes momentarily lifted Pakistan, the lack of support from the other bowlers and India’s commanding batting display.

2) 3/31 in Dubai (T20I)

Shaheen Afridi delivered a dream spell under lights at the Dubai International Stadium on October 24, 2021, in the T20 World Cup 2021, Group 2 match between India and Pakistan. Bowling with fire and precision, the left-arm pacer dismissed India’s top three, Rohit Sharma for a duck, KL Rahul for 3, and Virat Kohli for 57, to rattle the batting order. Afridi’s fiery new-ball spell, returning figures of 3 for 31 in 4 overs, set the tone for Pakistan’s dominance.

India managed 151/7, with Virat Kohli’s fighting fifty and Rishabh Pant’s 39 providing resistance. However, Afridi’s early strikes ensured Pakistan stayed in control. Chasing 152, openers sealed a historic 10-wicket win with 13 balls remaining. Afridi’s spell not only earned him Player of the Match but also marked one of the finest fast-bowling performances in T20 World Cup history.

1) 4/35 in Pallekele (ODI)

Marking his best white-ball spell, on September 2, 2023, at the Pallekele International Stadium, Kandy, Shaheen Afridi once again proved to be India’s nemesis in the Asia Cup Group A clash. The left-arm pacer produced a fiery spell, dismantling India’s top order with figures of 4 for 35 in 10 overs. Afridi dismissed skipper Rohit Sharma with a sharp inswinger and then sent back Virat Kohli cheaply to put Pakistan on top early. 

Returning later, he claimed the key wickets of Hardik Pandya (87) and Ravindra Jadeja (14), breaking India’s backbone just when the partnership between Pandya and Ishan Kishan was reviving the innings. His brilliant spell restricted India to 266 in 48.5 overs before rain forced the match to be abandoned as a no result.