Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi received a warm and enthusiastic reception as he walked out to bat for his team in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) fixture against India at Edgbaston. The 22,000 spectators inside the stadium erupted in chants of "Afridi Afridi" as he took to the crease. However, Afridi’s performance did not live up to the excitement, as he was dismissed for a golden duck by Dhawal Kulkarni in the 18th over of Pakistan's innings.
Pakistan champions were put into bat by the India champions. Openers Sharjeel Khan (72) and Kamran Akmal (77) laid a strong foundation with a 145-run stand. Sohaib Maqsood contributed a quickfire 50 to help Pakistan post a total of 243/4 in 20 overs. Despite the strong batting display, Afridi’s early dismissal sparked a social media frenzy.
Afridi’s golden duck led to a meltdown on social media, with fans expressing their disappointment and humour at the turn of events. The hashtag #AfridiDuck trended as fans and critics alike commented on the former captain's brief appearance.
The World Championship of Legends, approved by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), began at Edgbaston on July 3 and will run through July 18. Both India and Pakistan came into this match unbeaten, having secured back-to-back victories in the tournament.
Before the match, players from both teams expressed their excitement and determination:
Suresh Raina (India): "Playing Pakistan is always an honour, and tomorrow's game is no exception. Our squad is fired up and prepared to give it our all. We hope that our performance will make the fans proud because of their amazing energy and support."
Younis Khan (Pakistan): "We are excited to play India in this esteemed tournament, our long-time competition. Our group has put in a lot of preparation, and we are sure we can put on an amazing show. For us, it's about pride and passion for both the sport and our nation, it's not just a game."
Despite the high hopes and excitement, Afridi's quick exit was a notable moment that overshadowed the otherwise strong performance by the Pakistan team.