Abbas Afridi Equals Ravi Bopara’s Record in Hong Kong

Pakistan captain Abbas Afridi announced his arrival in style at the Hong Kong Sixes on Friday. He smashed eight towering sixes in just 12 deliveries against Kuwait. The innings of 55 runs marked the second-most sixes in a single Hong Kong Sixes match. Afridi joined an elite group of players including Ravi Bopara, Jishan Alam, and Rashid Khan. However, the record still belongs to England’s Edward George Barnard, who hit nine sixes last year.

Afridi’s explosive batting helped Pakistan chase Kuwait’s challenging target of 124 runs. The match became a thrilling power-hitting contest from the start. Khawaja Nafay and Mohammad Shahzad gave Pakistan an early boost, racing to 34 without loss after two overs. Shahzad’s 14 off eight balls ended when he retired hurt, but the foundation for Afridi’s assault was set. Abdul Samad’s early dismissal brought Afridi to the crease.

Once at the crease, Afridi wasted no time in dominating the bowlers. Pakistan surged to 95-1 by the end of the fifth over. Afridi cleared the ropes with ease, turning the match into a spectacle. With 67 runs needed from the last two overs, his consecutive sixes off Yasin Patel changed the momentum completely. Afridi reached his fifty in just 11 balls before retiring hurt.

Shahid Aziz and Khawaja Nafay finished the chase with style. Aziz scored 23 not out off just five balls, including three consecutive sixes. Nafay remained unbeaten on 25 off 11 deliveries. Their efforts ensured Pakistan crossed the finish line on the final ball. Afridi’s fireworks had set the stage for a dramatic and successful finish.

The win gave Pakistan a perfect start to their Hong Kong Sixes campaign. Afridi’s record-breaking power hitting will be remembered as one of the tournament’s highlights. Analysts say his performance shows his potential as a top all-rounder in international cricket. Pakistan now looks confident ahead of the next matches. The thrilling victory also entertained fans with a showcase of modern T20 hitting.

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