PAK vs AFG | Twitter reacts to Babar and Afridi 's ecstatic applause after first powerplay six in 1362 balls

10/23/2023

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Rarely has Pakistan been short of explosive batsmen and perhaps never have they been lacking in an aspect in which even the associate nations excel. However, such was the case in recent times with the side managing no sixes in powerplays in 2023 until Abdullah Shafique ended the drought on Monday.

Pakistan chose to bat first on a dry Chepauk surface against Afghanistan and managed to make optimum use of a crucial powerplay by racing to 56 without loss at the end of 10 overs. Openers Imam ul Haque and Abdullah Shafique took on the bowlers whenever an opportunity arose in much contrast to the recent precedent but still lacked the explosive fervour showcased by the other contenders for the title. Pakistan was the only side of the 23 nations to have played ODIs in 2023 to not clear the fence in the first phase of fielding restrictions despite boasting of stroke-making openers such as Shafique and Fakhar Zaman in their ranks. However, the long-awaited moment when they broke the shackles finally arrived in the fifth over, much to the delight of the dugout.

Naveen-ul-Haq steamed in for his third over of the opening spell and was greeted with a neat clip for four on the second ball by Shafique. The speedster responded by banging one in short, hoping to catch his counterpart off-guard but Shafique seemed to be on the lurk for just that sort of delivery. He rocked onto his backfoot and pulled the ball off his shoulders with disdain, depositing the Kookaburra well into the stands. It was Pakistan's first six in the powerplays in 23 games and their first in 2023, explaining the fervent applause that followed in the camp led by an exuberant Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi.

Now that the drought was over, the Men in Green did not take long to double their tally as Shafique danced down the track against Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the eighth over before elegantly directing the ball over mid-off and beyond the ropes. Twitterati was quick to congratulate the side on ending their bizarre slump and in style.

Finally!

pic.twitter.com/J8uZopN2WW
— Young Gopal (@younggopal467) October 23, 2023

Dugout loved it

pic.twitter.com/csUPCAHteV
— Young Gopal (@younggopal467) October 23, 2023

Thanks ABD?

Yes it happens believe me

Pakistan hits six in powerplay today.

Thanks ABD

#PAKvsAFG #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/7VgU5Lb6o5
— U S A M A 😎 🇵🇰 (@usama51023) October 23, 2023

Wow

Pakistan has finally hit a six in powerplay🥹 pic.twitter.com/dgL93LTVv9
— حسان🇵🇸 (@hasoo_says) October 23, 2023

Miracle

Pakistan hits a six in Power Play: pic.twitter.com/hvx6NQEXcJ
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) October 23, 2023

1st ever

The first six for Pakistan in the first powerplay in ODIs this year after 1168 balls.#BabarAzam𓃵 #PAKvsAFG #CWC2023

#PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/kHa7nqiCXn
— FareeD Malik (@FareedMalik_DN) October 23, 2023

Unbelievable

Six in PowerPlay by Pakistan😯😂#PAKvsAFG pic.twitter.com/EzevVlhxwl
— SH么RI Vibes🦋 (@Sheraz_hu_yar) October 23, 2023

Yeah it was the jinx!

🎙Commentators "Six in powerplay for pakistan wow the jinx are breaking" 😭😭😭
— 𝑻𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒚 🇵🇸|🇵🇰 (@iTweeety56) October 23, 2023

Holiday time

Breaking news 👀

Pakistan finally hits a six in power play!

One day holiday announced in Punjab 😳 pic.twitter.com/VIzzRT7RRw
— Amna Vibes 🦋 (@parh_lo_amna) October 23, 2023

At last!