In an electrifying debut in ‘The Hundred’, Pakistan’s fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi made a dream start for Welsh Fire, setting the Cardiff stadium ablaze with his scintillating performance against Manchester Originals. Afridi’s left-arm pace proved to be too hot to handle as he wreaked havoc on the opposition’s batting line-up.
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From the very first ball of his ‘The Hundred’ career, Afridi showcased his brilliance by delivering a sensational yorker that caught Manchester Originals’ opener, Phil Salt, off guard, resulting in a confident leg-before-wicket dismissal. Not content with just one wicket, Afridi repeated the magic on the very next delivery, this time sending Laurie Evans back to the pavilion in a similar fashion, leaving Manchester Originals in shock.
Batting first, Welsh Fire managed to post a formidable total of 94-3, largely thanks to the explosive display of their opener, Luke Wells. Wells proved to be the anchor of the innings, smashing a blistering half-century off just 23 balls. His knock included seven boundaries and three massive sixes, leaving the spectators in awe of his batting prowess. However, Manchester Originals’ left-arm pacer, Josh Little, showcased his skills with the ball, picking up three crucial wickets to keep the opposition in check.
Chasing the target of 94, Manchester Originals faced a tough challenge against Welsh Fire’s bowling attack. Skipper Jos Buttler and Max Holden showed some resistance, both contributing with 37 runs each, but the rest of the batting order struggled to find their rhythm. In the end, they could only manage 85-4 in their 40 overs. Shaheen Afridi continued to dominate, finishing with an impressive haul of two wickets, while left-arm pacer David Willey also joined the party, securing two wickets for the winners.
Among the outstanding performances, Luke Wells emerged as the standout player of the match, earning the well-deserved title of “Player of the Match” for his explosive half-century that proved to be the cornerstone of Welsh Fire’s victory.
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