Ex-Pakistan Captain Shahid Afridi Admits To Tampering Pitch In 2005, Says "It Was A Mistake"

23.09.2022 - 08:07 sports.ndtv.com

Former Pakistan cricket team Shahid Afridi has accepted that he tampered the Faisalabad pitch during a Test match against England in 2005.

Afridi, who was well known for his big-hitting as well as spin bowling, said that he was frustrated with the pitch which led to the action.

He also added that ex-Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik knew and encouraged him in the plan. "The Test match was in Faisalabad. The ball was not turning, swinging, seaming.

I was applying my full force and nothing was happening. Then suddenly, a gas cylinder exploded and everyone got distracted. I told Malik (Shoaib Malik).'Mera dil chaah raha hai main idhar patch bana du.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team Shahid Afridi Pakistan Lahore

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has claimed that batters like Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail used to take on the Indian bowlers without even wearing helmets. He said that the Indian fast bowlers didn't have pace in their deliveries in the past and that led to the Pakistan batters wearing only caps and taking the bowlers to the cleaners. Butt made the bold claim when asked on a show about why Shahid Afridi was not used as an opening batter in Asian conditions.

Pakistan handed Shaheen Afridi boost ahead of T20 World Cup

Afridi, 22, has been sidelined since sustaining a ligament injury to his right knee during a test match in Sri Lanka in July, missing the Asia Cup and home series against England. "Shaheen is now available for selection for the 17 and 19 October warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan, respectively during which his match fitness will be assessed by the team management," the PCB said in a statement.

"It's Not Like We Have Lionel Messi On Bench": Ramiz Raja On Criticism Of Pakistan's Batting Unit

Pakistan cricket team has been subjected to plenty of criticism of late, especially after the manner in which they lost the Asia Cup 2022 final to Sri Lanka. While the openers -- Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan -- have been delivering on a consistent basis, the middle order looks far from settled. Talks of bringing a veteran player like Shoaib Malik back into the team, just like last T20 World Cup, have also surfaced. When Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Ramiz Raja was asked about the same, he had quite a unique take on the matter.

India vs Pakistan, T20 World Cup: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi to be fit for India clash, says Ramiz Raja

Afridi has been sidelined since sustaining a ligament injury to his right knee during a test match in Sri Lanka in July and missed the Asia Cup as well as the home series against England. "I had a chat with Shaheen ...

After Fan Compares Haris Rauf With Shoaib Akhtar, Former Pakistan Captain Drops Shah Rukh Khan Reference

With the series tied at 2-2, the seven-match T20I series between Pakistan and England is all set for the a grand finish. The fourth T20I, which was the last in Karachi, saw Pakistan level the series with three games to go. With England needing 34 runs off the final three overs, Liam Dawson hit four fours and a six to all but seal the game for England. However, Rauf had other ideas as he dismissed Dawson and Olly Stone off consecutive deliveries to swing the match in Pakistan's favour.

Pakistan "Don't Have Such A Finisher...": On Being Asked About Hardik Pandya, Shahid Afridi Says This

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi feels that the Pakistan cricket team needs a match-winning finisher like Hardik Pandya. When asked by a news anchor if he could see any match-winner down the order in the Pakistan batting line-up, Afridi admitted that the team lacks such a player. Afridi said that people were expecting players like Asif Ali or Khushdil to play that role for Pakistan but they both have been inconsistent with their performances. He added that even Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan lack consistency.