AUS vs PAK | Twitter reacts as Afridi tempts Marnus to scrap in charged-up atmosphere after 24 dot balls streak
The Boxing Day Test is an annual landmark in Aussie sport where fans take little to get going to celebrate the competitive spirit. The MCG rang out in full volume during an intense passage of Pakistan bowling on Tuesday, capped off by Shaheen Afridi's barrage of words aimed at Marnus Labuschagne.
Pakistan clawed their way back into the second Test following a dominant first session by Australia where openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja had piled on 90 runs together before the former succumbed to Salman Agha Ali on the final ball before lunch. By the time the two sides returned to take the field for the second session, sunny and batting-friendly conditions had given way to a brewing storm with dark clouds on the horizon and once Hasan Ali broke through with Usman Khawaja's wicket in the 34th over, all hell broke loose.
The Kookaburra began to seam every which way under the influence of overcast conditions and Ali, alongside Shaheen Afridi, pressed home the advantage of two new batters at the crease by landing the red cherry on a dime. The crowd, having gotten used to largely one-sided matches on the occasion in the 21st century, obliged to the spectacle by swinging and swaying with the rising intensity as momentum palpably shifted towards the visitors. Labuschagne looked especially comfortable out in the middle as the partnership with Steve Smith kicked off with just five runs in the first 57 balls. Things nearly came to a head out in the middle thereafter when Shaheen ended his 14th over of the day by staring at Labuschagne and flinging a selection of words his way before continuing to mock him with absurd antics after every dot throughout the next over.
Just when the action seemed to have reached a peak, rain played spoilsport to draw an abrupt conclusion in the battle between the two veteran conquistadors but Twitterati nonetheless kept the hype of the encounter going online.
Spicy stuff
— Travis Head (@TravisHead8441) December 26, 2023
Hell yeah!
I pay my internet bill for these moments. Loving the battle between Shaheen and Marnus 🔥#AUSvPAK | #PAKvsAUSpic.twitter.com/0qIxTsPEjZ
— Abdullah (@abdullahayyaz) December 26, 2023
Peak cricket
Shaheen Afridi was Showing Aggression To Marnus Labuschagne 🔥💪
— Bilawal (@Bilawal1191) December 26, 2023
Peak Test Cricket Vibes ❤️🥵#AUSvsPAK pic.twitter.com/F8OTuzpf3P
LOL
no way shaheen is sledging marnus with this kind of pace 💀
— Edge and gone (@SheStansThem) December 26, 2023
Under 130 kph💀 pic.twitter.com/r90UfgjA2c
The aggression
Shaheen Afridi X Marnus Labuschagne , this is the aggression that is needed. Missed this shaheen since ages Welcome Back Sheenu ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/hBuQesGecB
— Edge and gone (@SheStansThem) December 26, 2023
Missed this Shaheen
Shaheen Afridi X Marnus Labuschagne , this is the aggression that is needed. Missed this shaheen since ages Welcome Back Sheenu ❤️🔥👀
— Haris Arshad (@harris00071) December 26, 2023
|| #PAKvsAUS || #AUSvPAK || #Shaheen || pic.twitter.com/2R1zKesBoU
Some exchange
There's some exchange of words seen b/w Marnus and Afridi, finally a very little banter managed to took a single from Marnus 😜 #AUSvsPAK
— A (@AnkitShah09) December 26, 2023
What a sight
Shaheen bullying marnus 😭#PAKvsAUS
— 彡 (@2ty10z) December 26, 2023
It's hilarious
no way shaheen is sledging marnus with this kind of pace 💀💀💀💀💀
— 𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙙 (@hvmmad1) December 26, 2023
Come on Marnus
I just want to hear marnus yelling NO RUNNNNNN NO RUN NOOO RUNNNNNNN in different tempos..
— AKDhillon🇮🇳 (@kauraverjit) December 26, 2023
Come on Marnus #AUSvPAK