Shahid Afridi marks attendance at Gaddafi stadium

With Pakistan all glammed up for the ongoing World XI tour of Pakistan, you expect things to light up even more when one of the country’s favorite men, Shahid Afridi makes an appearance during the iconic clash at the Gaddafi Stadium. The Pakistan cricket team is playing a 3-match T20 series against a visiting World XI side in the Independence Cup. The crowd also chanted the signature ‘Boom Boom Afridi’ slogan as they added to the charm of the historic match.

See it all in the tweets below:

Legend @SAfridiOfficial in the house and crowd chanting " Boom Boom Afridi " #Superstar #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/MaesKRltcc

— Mohammad Usman (@usmansatti93) September 12, 2017

Shahid Afridi is watching the match in the ground. Crowd cheers as they see him on the big screen. #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/oXNTmPMAaq

— #IND vs SL (@HRS_Cricket) September 12, 2017

Look who's in the crowd, folks! Lala @SAfridiOfficial ❤️#HopeNotOut #CricketKiHalalala #PAKvWXI pic.twitter.com/YXtLHC4QJt

— Saima Khan (@saimaxkhan) September 12, 2017

Slick win for Pakistan

Sarfraz Ahmed & Co. took the field for the first time after their historic Champions Trophy triumph and played in the first inning like they were eager to turn up in front of their home crowd. The crowd was treated with some glorious shots early in the innings which helped them satiate the 8-year old drought of international cricket at home just a wee bit.

In the first match, World XI skipper, Faf du Plessis won the toss and opted to bowl first against the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side. Pakistan began the proceedings in a disappointing manner after they lost Fakhar Zaman for 8 in the very first over of the innings but a stand of 122 runs between Babar Azam and Ahmed Shahzad provided them with resistance.

Shehzad was undone by Ben Cutting for 39 but Azam went on to notch up a score of 86 runs off just 52 deliveries, his highest score in T20I. Imran Tahir eventually got the wicket to give World XI team their third breakthrough.

In the end, Pakistan secured an easy 20-run win as their bowlers held the power pack World XI side back during the chase. Not a single batsmen from the visiting team could go past the 30-run mark which ultimately cost them the game.