PAK vs AUS: Shaheen Afridi got the crucial wicket from Marnus Labuschagne.© AFP
Pakistani cricketer Shaheen Afridi’s star player shook Australia when his captain needed it most, proving once again the brilliant purple stain the fast bowler is currently going through. Although the start of Day 4 was delayed due to rain and the first session was completely lost, the game started after lunch. Australian batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne reached the center with Australia on 271/2 and picked up where they left off on Day 3. While the Pakistani bowlers seemed quite penetrating with the old ball, skipper Babar Azam jumped at the very first chance to take the to take over the new ball after the 80th and hand it over to Afridi.
The first over with the new ball was bowled with relatively high intensity against Labuschagne, who failed to score a single point on Afridi.
The second over with the new red icing looked a bit quirky as Labuschagne collected five runs from it.
However, it was the final ball of the decisive third left with the new ball helping Afridi get Labuschagne’s all-important wicket to 90 runs.
“The ‘Afridi’ party you’ve been waiting for. The crowd is roaring. @iShaheenAfridi fires Labuschagne. #BoysReadyHain l #PAKvAUS.”
The ‘Afridi’ party you’ve been waiting for.
The crowd roars. @iShaheenAfrid fires Labuschagne. #BoysReadyHain I #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/qMwPMLLk1R— Pakistani cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 7, 2022
After being struck for a boundary from the previous ball, Afridi decided to bowl a wide pitch and let the batter reach for the ball.
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Labuschagne appeared to be riding toward the cover area with his club away from the body. Labuschagne, however, failed to account for any lateral movement of the deck, forcing him to chop the deck into place to the sole slip.
Shortly after the wicket, Shaheen burst into his signature celebration of raising both arms to the crowd and enjoying the applause.
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