Shaheen Afridi will play in many more semi-finals: Michael Vaughan

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan expressed his disappointment over seeing Pakistan youngster Shaheen Afridi bowing out of the tournament at the group stage. The 19-year old pacer has lighted up the World Cup with his exception displays in the last few games. Shaheen’s resurgence in the competition has coincided with that of Pakistan’s. The youngster was looking set to warm the bench for the better part of the tournament after a poor outing against Australia that saw him concede 70 runs.

However, Pakistan gave him a chance to redeem himself by recalling him for the must-win clash against South Africa and he has not looked back since then. On Friday, the left-arm pacer put up one of the best bowling performances in the history of the World Cup to steer Pakistan to a thumping 94-run win over Bangladesh.

Batting first, the Men in Green scored 315 for 9 in their allotted 50 overs. Shaheen then helped Pakistan bowl out Bangladesh for just 221 by registering sensational figures of 6 for 35.

Shaheen Afridi created a plethora of records with his sensational performance. He became the first cricketer to return with a six-fer in ODI at Lord’s. His figures are also the best bowling figures by a Pakistani in World Cups, bettering Shahid Afridi’s 5 for 16 against Kenya in 2011 World Cup. But his heroics were just not enough for Pakistan to enter the semifinal. Pakistan ended with same number of points as that of fourth-placed New Zealand but bowed out due to poor net run-rate.

Soon after the game ended, Michael Vaughan took to Twitter to motivate Shaheen Afridi and express his disappointment over not seeing him anymore in the competition. The ex-cricketer-turned-commentator backed Shaheen to play in many World Cup semifinals, writing: “Shaheed (Shaheen) Afridi will play in many more Semi finals .. Shame he isn’t playing in this years WC .. #CWC19 ..”

Shaheed Afridi will play in many more Semi finals .. Shame he isn’t playing in this years WC .. #CWC19 ..

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 5, 2019

Shaheen dedicates his award to his father

After becoming just the second teenager to win the Man of the Match award in the World Cup, Shaheen Afridi was a happy man. He opened up on how the seniors guided him and dedicated the award to his father.

“Thanks to almighty. The bowling coach Ajju bhai (Azhar Mahmood) was helping me in the nets and I’m happy with this performance. It is a special feeling for me, my family and Pakistan as well. Whenever the senior guys tell me to bowl a yorker, I try to bowl one. Their experience is very helpful for me. It was a slow wicket and we saw Mustafizur bowling a lot of cutters in the first innings and I tried to do the same. This award is special and I want to dedicate this to my Abbu (Dad),” said Shaheen Afridi.