Afridi Boom Booms 84 off 27!
The ABN Amro Cup, the domestic one-day competition in Pakistan, kicked off on the 20th of March with as many as 10 matches played all round the country.
This is the first time that both the regions and the departments are playing a domestic one-day competition together. I'm not sure if this is a good thing. 22 teams taking part in a tournament focuses too much on quantity rather than quality, but then at the same time a larger number of players are given an opportunity to play.
I prefer domestic competitions on the lines of the recently held Pentangular Cup. It pits the best against the best and the quality of cricket is at a higher level.
With the amount of cricket being played at the ABN Amro Cup, it will be impossible for me to cover every match, but I will keep posting about the more noticeable performances during the competition.
Shahid Afridi, who is captaining his department Habib Bank rather than his usual team Karachi Dolphins, smashed a 27 ball 84 leading his team to a comfortable victory over Quetta. Chasing 214, Afridi's whirlwind knock helped Habib Bank achieve the target in only 28.2 overs as Habib Bank won by 5 wickets.
Afridi walked in at the fall of the 3rd wicket with the score on 76 to join Younis Khan at the crease. Younis got out on the same score to leave Habib Bank at 176-4. Afridi then smashed 7 sixes and 8 fours in a mere 27 balls setting up his team's march to victory.
Thats Afridi at his best. 74 runs while standing at the crease. 15 of the 27 deliveres he faced were sent to the fence or over it. Must have been a treat to watch.
Had he not holed out, it could have been a faster effort than a 37 ball 100!
This is the first time that both the regions and the departments are playing a domestic one-day competition together. I'm not sure if this is a good thing. 22 teams taking part in a tournament focuses too much on quantity rather than quality, but then at the same time a larger number of players are given an opportunity to play.
I prefer domestic competitions on the lines of the recently held Pentangular Cup. It pits the best against the best and the quality of cricket is at a higher level.
With the amount of cricket being played at the ABN Amro Cup, it will be impossible for me to cover every match, but I will keep posting about the more noticeable performances during the competition.
Shahid Afridi, who is captaining his department Habib Bank rather than his usual team Karachi Dolphins, smashed a 27 ball 84 leading his team to a comfortable victory over Quetta. Chasing 214, Afridi's whirlwind knock helped Habib Bank achieve the target in only 28.2 overs as Habib Bank won by 5 wickets.
Afridi walked in at the fall of the 3rd wicket with the score on 76 to join Younis Khan at the crease. Younis got out on the same score to leave Habib Bank at 176-4. Afridi then smashed 7 sixes and 8 fours in a mere 27 balls setting up his team's march to victory.
Thats Afridi at his best. 74 runs while standing at the crease. 15 of the 27 deliveres he faced were sent to the fence or over it. Must have been a treat to watch.
Had he not holed out, it could have been a faster effort than a 37 ball 100!
he is so good you should name your cat after him.
But I don't have a cat. If I buy one though I'll name it Yousuf - after all he's naming himself Stevens Cat soon ...
I may go as far as naming my child after him.