Shaheen Afridi takes 7 wickets including hat-trick in Pakistan's National Champions Cup final, leads Gold to 101-run win

Pakistan’s ODI captain Shaheen Afridi wreaked havoc in the National Champions Cup final with his List A career-best bowling figures. Afridi claimed seven wickets including a hat-trick to lead Pakistan Gold to a thumping 101-run win over Shadab Khan-led Pakistan Greens in Multan on August 18.

Afridi won the toss and opted to bat first. Opener Shamyl Hussain and Saad Khan scored centuries to help Pakistan Gold post 340. Pakistan Greens used as many as nine bowlers, including Fakhar Zaman. Hussain scored 111 runs from 93 balls, including 11 fours and four sixes. Khan hit 11 fours and four sixes as well in his 102-ball 112.

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Afridi derails Greens’ run chase

Afridi did not strike with the new ball. Mubasir Khan knocked over Zaman in the eighth over. Then, Razaullah got rid of Omair Yousuf who missed his fifty by just six runs. Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig fell to Faisal Akram for a 51-ball 67. When Baig departed, Pakistan Greens were 147/3 in 21.4 overs, still alive in the run chase.

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Afridi did the damage in the middle overs. Mohammad Suleman and Farhan Yousaf went for pull shots and caught by Abdul Samad at deep square leg. Skipper Shadab was caught at third man trying to play an upper cut. Pakistan Greens lost six wickets for 167 in 26.5 overs.

The hat-trick over

In the 36th over, the left-arm pacer returned and got Naseem Shah dismissed caught behind. Shah and Faheem Ashraf shared a 61-run partnership for the seventh wicket. In his next over, he pitched it up and dismissed Mehran Mumtaz lbw. From round the wicket, he got Salman Mirza out caught and bowled. Then, he completed his hat-trick by knocking over Mohammad Hasnain.

Pakistan Greens were bowled out for 239 in 37.3 overs. Afridi claimed seven wickets for 36 runs in 8.3 overs. He was named ‘Player of the match’ in the final.

Zaman was named 'Player of the series' for scoring 269 runs from three innings, including two centuries.

Why Afridi isn’t part of the Test squad?

Afridi is currently not in scheme of things in Test cricket. He won’t be seen in action in the three-Test series against England beginning on August 19. He wasn’t part of the squad for Test series against West Indies as well under Babar Azam’s leadership.