Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi gets last laugh after crowd’s cruel taunt

Shaheen Shah Afridi copped relentless taunts from the spectators on Sunday – but the cricket star responded in fine fashion.

Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi was subjected to cruel taunts from the Chattogram crowd throughout the first Test against Bangladesh - but the left-arm quick responded in fine fashion.

Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi was subjected to cruel taunts from the Chattogram crowd throughout the first Test against Bangladesh – but the left-arm quick responded in fine fashion.

Whenever Afridi was near the boundary at Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium on Sunday, Bangladesh fans were overheard chanting “Matthew Wade”, a harsh reminder of the Australian’s T20 World Cup semi-final heroics.

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Wade smacked three consecutive sixes in the penultimate over of the thrilling run chase against Pakistan earlier this month, helping Australia secure its place in a T20 World Cup final for the first time in 11 years.

Afridi was the luckless bowler at the other end.

Pakistan were unbeaten during the Super 12 stage of the T20 tournament, comprehensively defeating favourites India by 10 wickets to send an early warning to the rest of the competition.

Afridi claimed three wickets during the triumph over their subcontinent rivals, but the cricket world has a short attention span, and his T20 World Cup campaign will forever be remembered for that one fateful over in the semi-final.

Shaheen Afridi was distraught. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Bangladeshi fans near the boundary were trolling Shaheen Afridi, saying ‘Mathew Wade se maar(inaudible) kaisa laga’ #PakvsBan#BANvPAK

— Mehran मेहरन 🇮🇳 (@mehranzaidi) November 28, 2021

Bangladesh’s cricket fans couldn’t resist rubbing salt into the wounds whenever the left-arm quick was within earshot – but Afridi got the last laugh.

The 21-year-old claimed three wickets late on day three to leave the hosts reeling at 4/39 at stumps.

In the fifth over of Bangladesh’s innings, Afridi trapped opener Shadman Islam LBW before knocking over No. 3 batter Najmul Hossain Shanto two deliveries later.

He returned after the drinks break to remove Saif Hassan for 18 as well, giving him stellar figures of 3/6 off six overs.

Afridi has taken 42 Test wickets at 17.66 in 2021, equal with Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin for most in the calendar year.

Whatever the format, whoever the opponent, wherever the match - Shaheen Shah Afridi continues to shine #Cricketpic.twitter.com/XiXfxn5Q0p

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) November 28, 2021

Most Test wickets in 2021

42 – Shaheen Shah Afridi (PAK)

42 – Ravichandran Ashwin (IND)

38 – Hasan Ali (PAK)

32 – Axar Patel (IND)

32 – James Anderson (ENG)

Bangladesh will resume on day four with a lead of 83 and six wickets in hand – Mushfiqur Rahim and debutant Yasir Ali are unbeaten overnight on 12 and 8 respectively.

Earlier in the first Test, Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam claimed his ninth five-wicket haul while Pakistan’s Abid Ali hit a century – the fourth of his Test career.

Originally published as Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi gets last laugh after crowd’s cruel taunt