In the 2012 Asia cup, Shahid Afridi most probably had his most unlucky dismissal of his international career. He was dismissed by Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who was given a push from the Pakistani captain Misbah Ul Haq as well.
Pakistan who were put in to bat after the Bangladeshi captain won the toss had to face a difficult time out there in the center at Mirpur. Pakistan lost their first 6 batsman for just 194 runs and 250 looked a mountainous task for them to achieve.
Shahid Afridi who came when his team was 192 for 5 thought of playing a little cameo to save his team from further humiliation but he too perished in a very bizarre way. Hoping against hope sometimes bears fruits and for Shakib it all came true.
Shakib was operating against Afridi who was facing his fourth delivery, played one straight back at Shakib. It was a flighted off spinner from Shakib bowled at a middle leg stump channel and Afridi drove it straight back at him.
The ball went low at Shakib and he had to bend himself quite down to make his first attempt for a caught and bowled chance. At the first attempt Shakib missed the catch but was successful in keeping the ball in the air.
After hitting his hands the ball went to his left and Shakib by then was ready to make his second attempt at it. This time again he missed and could not gather the ball safely but then again the Bangladeshi all-rounder was able to scoop it up in the air.
Click Video Link : http://goo.gl/Q6HtP5
This time the ball went to his right and to a distance but unfortunately straight towards Misbah Ul Haq who was standing at the non-striker’s end. The ball hit the Pakistani captain and before it could have touched the pitch, Shakib caught it with his right hand.
Shakib and Bangladesh team were all celebration then and Misbah was seen pointing towards the umpire gesturing his doubts about the first two attempts from Shakib but the replays showed that Afridi was gone for all money.
It was a great presence of mind shown from Shakib who didn’t let the ball hit the floor in the first two attempts which were really difficult to what he got at the end of the catch. Pakistan did well at the end and were able to score pass 250 and winning the game.
