Shaheen Afridi stars with ball against Moeen Ali & Co. in Vitality Blast

Shaheen Afridi showcased a remarkable resurgence in his bowling prowess during the T20 Vitality Blast match against the Birmingham Bears on Saturday.

Last night, the left-arm pacer conceded 45 runs in his four-spell against Worcestershire, claiming only one wicket. However, he played a brief cameo of 29 runs from 11 balls, which included four sixes in an over of Michael Bracewell. This innings not only boosted his personal confidence but also seemed to have a positive impact on his bowling.

After Nottinghamshire posted a massive total of 214/3, Afridi made an immediate impact with the ball in hand. In his second over, he struck gold by removing the Birmingham Bears’ captain, Moeen Ali, for a mere 10 runs. Moeen attempted to guide Afridi’s delivery towards the off-side but ended up skying it straight into the hands of Calvin Harrison.

Shaheen Afridi gets Moeen Ali! 🦅 #Blast23 pic.twitter.com/iw0tccj5H2

— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 3, 2023

Afridi didn’t stop there and continued to make inroads into the Bears’ batting lineup. Just two deliveries later, he claimed his second wicket of the match, dismissing Alex Davies for 19 runs. Davies was caught by Colin Munro, adding to Afridi’s growing tally of wickets.

🤔 @iShaheenAfridi or @manuz05 – who celebrated it better?

Watch live 👉 https://t.co/yDigGw70U5#MoreThanAGame pic.twitter.com/ScjqHFmYCa

— Notts Outlaws 🏹 (@TrentBridge) June 3, 2023

With the Bears needing 59 runs off 24 balls, the pressure was on. However, Afridi stepped up once again. He returned to the attack and faced an initial setback as he conceded a boundary off the first ball to Ed Barnard. Nevertheless, Afridi remained determined and quickly turned the tables. On the very next delivery, he dismissed Barnard, who was caught by Harrison for 19.

As the Bears’ required run rate continued to rise, Afridi tightened his grip on the game. He gave away just two runs in the first three balls of his last over, leaving the Bears needing an improbable 35 runs from 9 balls.

In the end, Shaheen Afridi finished with figures of 3/39 in his four-over spell. His exceptional bowling and crucial wickets played a significant role in leading Nottinghamshire to a 11-run victory in a high-scoring encounter against the Bears.

Afridi’s resurgence not only proved his ability as a match-winner but also showcased his determination and mental strength to bounce back from a less impressive performance.