Hafeez: Afridi showed great character
Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez says captain Shahid Afridi showed great character to overcome all the criticism and lead his side to a 55-run victory over Bangladesh in their first match of the World T20.
Afridi starred with bat and ball as Pakistan put their recent bad results behind them to give themselves a massive boost ahead of their game against rivals India on Saturday.
The Pakistan skipper promoted himself up the order, to number four, and blazed a 19-ball 49 as Pakistan posted 201 for five in the 20 overs. Afridi then took two for 27 as he led his team to victory.
The right-handed Hafeez, who top-scored in the match with 64 from 42 balls, feels the team an take momentum from the victory.
Hafeez said: "To be honest, it's great to see someone who was under pressure from the media and people and to come up with something like this shows the kind of character he got.
"It's always pleasing to see him to come up and play shots everywhere. The fans love it, we love it as a team. We know that he can take the game away from the opposition.
"It's great to see him come back into the form with the bat and ball also. That performance will boost his confidence and the whole team will definitely follow the momentum he has set in the first match."
Latest
-
NewsTom Westley and Essex have their sights set on Royal London Cup silverware
Essex, who won the domestic Twenty20 competition in 2019, have only two players in The Hundred.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson stars at Manchester Originals have Birmingham Phoenix in a spin
The England leg spinner’s four for nine set up the victory for Jos Buttler’s side.
-
NewsHaseeb Hameed hundred helps Nottinghamshire defeat Warwickshire
Essex and Lancashire remain perfect in Group Two after two games.
-
NewsHundred organisers hit out at ‘unacceptable’ abuse
Players have been targeted since the launch of cricket’s new format.
-
NewsJoe Root admits friendship will be set aside against Ben Stokes in The Hundred
The England pair face off with Trent Rockers and Northern Superchargers on Monday.
-
NewsLocal hero Jonny Bairstow stuns Headingley with impressive Welsh Fire knock
Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Bairstow, captaining the Fire, hit 56 from 36 balls in The Hundred clash.
-
News‘He’s a fantastic asset’ – Joe Root excited to see Rashid Khan in Hundred action
The England Test captain and Afghanistan leg-spinner are team-mates at Trent Rockets.
-
News5 things we learned from the opening games of The Hundred
The near 8,000 who turned up for night one represented the biggest ever UK crowd for a women’s match.
-
NewsFirst-pick Rashid Khan proud to be flying flag for Afghanistan in The Hundred
The leg-spinner is excited about the prospect of bowling 10 balls in a row when he turns out for Trent Rockets.
-
NewsAdil Rashid looking forward to coming up against Jonny Bairstow in The Hundred
When they face off on Saturday the Yorkshire and England team-mates will be on opposite sides for the first time.