Pakistan's premier paceman and one of the best fast bowlers in the world currently, Shaheen Shah Afridi announced his arrival in The Hundred competition in spectacular fashion. The left-arm pacer, who was playing in his first-ever game in The Hundred, wowed the onlookers and stunned opposition batters with back-to-back booming in-swinging deliveries. Making his debut for the Welsh Fire, Shaheen began his The Hundred with consecutive wickets.
First, the left-arm seamer trapped England international Phil Salt plumb in front of the stumps with an outstanding in-swinger which was bowled at a fiery pacer. Salt departed for a golden duck but Shaheen was not done yet. He added more salt to Manchester Originals' wounds in the very next delivery when he delivered an unplayable in-swinging yorker to Laurie Evans, who failed to get his bat down in time and the ball crashed onto his pads.
Two deliveries, two wickets and Shaheen lit up The Hundred competition with a bang.
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In a match that was reduced to 40 balls per side due to rain, Welsh Fire registered a nine-run victory after posting a total of 94/3. Luke Wells starred with the bat for Welsh as he scored a quick-fire 57 runs off just 23 balls with the help of seven fours and three sixes.
For Manchester Originals, Ireland international Joshua Little bagged two wickets while Tom Hartley chipped in with a wicket.
Chasing a target of 95 runs, Manchester were blown away by Shaheen's sensational opening over. After being reduced to 0/2, Manchester fought back with captain Jos Buttler and Max Holden forging a 63-run stand. Butler remained unbeaten on 37 runs off 18 balls while Holden also scored as many runs as his skipper in the exact number of deliveries but the duo's effort went in vain as the team could only score 85/4.
For Welsh Fire, Shaheen finished with figures of 2/24 in 10 balls while David Willey also chipped in with two wickets.Â
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