Friday, June 19, 2009

Random Pakistan Cricket Fact #7

Shahid Afridi used Sachin Tendulkar's bat to score the fastest ever hundred in one day internationals.

True story.

Afridi was flown into Kenya, where Pakistan were taking part in a quadrangular tournament, from the West Indies where he was representing Pakistan U-19.

He was summoned as a replacement for Mushtaq Ahmed, who had injured himself while in Kenya.

Yes, a replacement for a LEG SPINNER.

Afridi made his debut against Kenya and did well with his leggies conceding 32 in his 10 overs.

Saeed Anwar, who was captaining Pakistan on the tour, caught a glimpse of Afridi batting in the nets, which made Anwar send Afridi into bat as a pinch hitter in the next game against Sri Lanka.

There came the fastest ever ODI century; a record that still stands.

That knock changed Afridi's life forever as Pakistan tried to turn a leggie into an opening batsman.

As for the bat; Afridi had arrived without one from the West Indies. Waqar Younis handed him one to use that had been given to him by Sachin Tendulkar.

Some say it was a gift from Sachin; others say it was given to Waqar so he could get similar bats manufactured from Sialkot.

Whatever it was; Waqar handed the bat of the world's best batsman to Shahid Afridi, who then went on to hit 11 sixes and 6 fours on his way to 102 off 40 deliveries!

Make your pitch on this post...



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9 Pitched:

  1. Stani Army said...
     

    Afridi thought he put the bat to some good use ;o)

  2. Indophile said...
     

    Do you think they will drop Razzak for the finals ? He looks seriously ill man maybe spinach again:-) Well personally if Tanveer or Arafat is fit they should be playing instead of him doing a moonwalk out there. And who would you prefer WI or Srilanka in the finals ?

  3. Tifosi Guy said...
     

    What are the odds for a similar performance by Afridi in the final.

    Cmon Pakistan. I can't for my love of cricket bear to think of SL winning the tournament undefeated. 1996 WC was bad enough.

  4. Q said...
     

    He sure did Stani!

  5. Q said...
     

    Indophile,

    Razzaq has been great with the new ball. I will never replace him with Tanvir or Yasir.

    As for who I would prefer to see in the finals - my answer is in my latest post :-)

  6. Q said...
     

    TG,

    Regards to batting, Afridi's odds are low. Just the law of averages speaking.. as far as bowling.. he will surely trouble the Lankans.

  7. Anonymous said...
     

    Correcton,AFRIDI made 102 runs of 37 balls not 40 balls.

  8. SledgeHammer said...
     

    @Anon: No, Afridi made 100 of 37 balls. But his total of 102 came off 40 balls.

  9. Q said...
     

    Thanx for the correction Sledge..

    Yes anon.. the century came off 37 deliveries.. his total was 102 of 40.

    The link to the scorecard is in the post.

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