Shaheen Afridi Applauds Harry Brook's Masterclass as Pakistan's World Cup Hangs by a Thread
In a display of true sportsmanship amid crushing disappointment, Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi publicly praised England captain Harry Brook for his magnificent century that effectively ended Pakistan's T20 World Cup semi-final aspirations. The heartfelt gesture came after England's victory in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, which secured their place in the last-four while leaving Pakistan dependent on other results to survive.
A Captain's Innings That Deserved Recognition
"He deserved it because he had the world class innings in his life," Shaheen stated emphatically during the post-match press conference. "I think it's the best innings. Anyone who plays like that, you should appreciate it."
Brook's hundred was more than just a match-winning knock—it was a captain's innings executed under immense pressure on a challenging surface. While Pakistan struggled to build partnerships, Brook anchored England's chase with remarkable clarity and control, rotating strike effectively and building crucial partnerships that Pakistan desperately lacked.
Friendship Forged in PSL Translates to Mutual Respect
The admiration between the two players isn't newfound. Shaheen and Brook developed their bond while playing together for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. "Harry and me had a very good friendship," Shaheen revealed. "We played together in PSL. Anyone who plays an innings like that, you should appreciate it."
Shaheen recalled watching Brook's development long before he became an England mainstay: "When we picked him in PSL Lahore, I don't think he played for England at that time. He was just playing county cricket. But he played on Asian wickets and improved a lot."
Pakistan's Batting Failures Come Under Scrutiny
While generously praising Brook's performance, Shaheen didn't shy away from acknowledging Pakistan's own shortcomings that contributed to their precarious position. "I feel on a wicket like this you need a partnership and you need somebody like a set batsman who can bat through the middle overs," he analyzed. "But unfortunately we lost wickets back to back, which is why we did not go for that 180 to 190 score."
The contrast between the two teams' batting approaches was stark. While Pakistan collapsed with consecutive wickets, Brook demonstrated exactly what Pakistan lacked—an anchor who could withstand pressure and build an innings methodically.
Shaheen's Personal Comeback Amid Team Struggles
For Shaheen personally, the match represented a successful return after being left out of two earlier tournament games. He delivered a fiery opening spell that gave Pakistan early hope, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 30. "Yes, you said I was dropped," he addressed the question directly. "But my focus was to work on my bowling, how to come back, and maintain my normal things so that I can give good results."
He dismissed any notion of having something to prove: "I don't need to prove to anyone. My job is whenever I have an opportunity, I will go and give 100 percent for my team."
Coaching Philosophy Differences Surface
In a subtle critique of team management, Shaheen addressed head coach Mike Hesson's emphasis on all-rounders in the squad. "Look, he has a mindset, he is a head coach. I think he knows better than us how to run a team. And he is responsible for that," he commented, highlighting potential philosophical differences within the camp.
Regarding his bowling strategy, Shaheen explained his focus on consistent length bowling based on pitch conditions: "If the wicket depends on length, why not go for length balls? They were struggling and I was just trying to bowl the same length."
Pakistan's Slim Hopes and Harsh Reality
"These things happen in cricket," Shaheen philosophized about the defeat. "But we are still in the tournament, anything can happen. We are thinking that we get this one opportunity. Firstly, we should win this match. I hope New Zealand loses their match."
The reality, however, remains harsh for Pakistan. Their margin for error has completely evaporated, and their World Cup fate now rests partly in others' hands. Missed partnerships, soft dismissals, and inability to control middle overs have left them relying on mathematical permutations rather than their own performances.
A Defining Moment for Both Teams
For England and Harry Brook, the night at Pallekele may be remembered as the moment a leader truly announced himself on the world stage. For Pakistan and Shaheen Afridi, it represents a painful lesson in fine margins and missed opportunities, tempered by the gracious acknowledgment of superior performance from an opponent and former teammate.
Brook's promotion to number three didn't surprise Shaheen, but the manner of his execution did: "Not surprised actually, but the way he took that responsibility as a captain, that was the best innings he played. It was a captain's innings."
As Pakistan prepares for their must-win remaining matches, Shaheen's words reflect both the disappointment of imminent elimination and the enduring spirit of cricket that values excellence and sportsmanship above all else.
