Shaheen Afridi
In an action-packed rain-shortened encounter at Sophia Gardens, The Hundred witnessed a remarkable debut performance from Shaheen Afridi, who made an immediate impact with his lethal bowling. Representing Welsh Fire, Shaheen’s first two deliveries resulted in crucial wickets, sending shockwaves through the Manchester Originals’ camp.
Due to the rain interruption, the game was reduced to a 40-ball per side contest. Taking full advantage of the limited overs, Fire’s opener, Luke Wells, exhibited an astonishing display of power hitting, scoring a breathtaking 57 runs off just 23 balls. His explosive innings propelled the home side to a formidable total of 94-3.
When it was time for the Originals to chase the target, they were met with an early and unexpected setback as Shaheen Afridi struck twice in consecutive balls. His precise bowling found the stumps of Phil Salt and Laurie Evans, leaving the Manchester team in a precarious situation.
Despite the early blows, the Originals staged a recovery, but ultimately, they fell agonizingly short by nine runs, finishing with a total of 85-4.
The match proved to be a thrilling display of skill and excitement, with Shaheen Afridi’s exceptional debut and Luke Wells’ powerful innings stealing the spotlight. It sets the stage for an enthralling season of The Hundred ahead.