Shaheen Shah Afridi. (Photo Source: David Rogers/Getty Images)
Nottinghamshire pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi scripted history against Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast 2023 on June 30 as he dismissed four batters in the very first over. It was the first such event in the history of the tournament.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra was full of praise for Shaheen, remarking that some of the deliveries of the Pakistan bowler were “simply unplayable”. The 45-year-old went on to say that the speedster swung balls at high speeds and applauded his courage for bowling hard during the game.
“Yesterday, Shaheen Afridi took 4 wickets in the first over the innings…some of the deliveries were simply unplayable. Swing at high speed…and the courage to bowl really full,” Chopra tweeted.
Yesterday, Shaheen Afridi took 4 wickets in the first over the innings…some of the deliveries were simply unplayable. Swing at high speed…and the courage to bowl really full. 👏 👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 1, 2023
Birmingham Bears beat Nottinghamshire by two wickets
Speaking of the game, Birmingham skipper Alex Davies invited Nottinghamshire to bat after winning the toss. Tom Moores smashed 73 off 42 with the help of six boundaries and four maximums to help Nottinghamshire post 168. For Birmingham, Hasan Ali and Jake Lintott claimed a three-wicket haul each while Glenn Maxwell and Henry Brookes picked two and one wicket each.
Shaheen was key for Nottinghamshire, reducing Birmingham to 7/4 in the first over as he took the wickets of Birmingham skipper Davies, Chris Benjamin, Dan Mousley and Ed Barnard. However, the Pakistan bowler’s heroics were in vain as Birmingham chased the target the final over to register a two-wicket win. Rob Yates top-scored for Birmingham, scoring 65 off 46, including three fours and five sixes. Apart from Shaheen’s four-wicket haul, Jake Ball took three wickets for Nottinghamshire.