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ICC T20 World Cup 2021: “Indian Batters Were Facing 130km/h Balls In IPL, Facing Shaheen Afridi Is A Different Cup Of Tea” – Matthew Hayden

Shaheen Afridi India

Photograph: Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters

Former Australian cricketer and batting consultant of the Pakistan cricket team, Matthew Hayden has expressed that facing 130km/h in the IPL isn’t the same as facing the pace of Shaheen Shah Afridi. In the clash, between the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, the Indian batters struggled to counter Shaheen’s pace.

The left-arm pacer dismissed the likes of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli. Pakistan restricted India to 151 and won the match by 10 wickets, as they chased down the target in 18 overs. Shaheen was awarded the Player of the Match for his 3/31 in four overs. Dissecting the struggle of Indian batters, Matthew Hayden opined that facing Shaheen Afridi is a different cup of tea, then facing 130 km/h deliveries in the IPL. He said,

“They (the Indian batters) had been facing 130km/h deliveries for the last month during the IPL. It’s a different cup of tea when you are facing someone running and bowling at Shaheen Shah Afridi’s pace.”

Matthew Hayden Lauds Shaheen Shah Afridi’s spell against India

Photo: Reuters

The batting consultant of Pakistan, Matthew Hayden was all praise for Shaheen Shah Afridi’s performance against India. He lauded Shaheen’s courage to bowl an in-swinging yorker with the new ball against Rohit Sharma. The former cricketer added that the deliveries to dismiss both the Indian openers were the best he has seen in five weeks. Hayden said,

“They were the best two balls that I’ve seen in five weeks. A fast in-swinging yorker and the courage that it takes to bowl that delivery against Rohit Sharma with the new ball is admirable.” 

“I don’t think I have not seen the ball hitting Rahul’s middle of the bat in five weeks and then he gets that delivery. That was like the two punch combination that sent India on the backfoot in the powerplay,” Hayden added.

Pakistan is on a winning streak, having won both their matches so far in the tournament. They are at the top of the Group 2 points table with 4 points in two matches. On the other hand. India will face New Zealand in their second game on October 31, in Dubai.


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