Updated: November 15, 2020 2:25:28 pm
Shahid Afridi plays for Multan Sultans at PSL 2020.
Shahid Afridi returned to competitive cricket wearing a new helmet on Saturday in the opening match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) tie between the Multan Sultans and the Karachi Kings.
The 40-year-old off-roader, who had previously tested positive for coronavirus, had last played in March during the league stage of the tournament. He returned to action against Imad Wasim’s Karachi Kings at the Karachi National Stadium on November 14.
Coming to bat at number seven, Afridi started his hit with a maximum but perished to pacemaker Arshad Iqbal after a run-a-ball 12. But it was his uniquely designed helmet that brought him to the limelight.
The dangerous-looking helmet, with the top rack bar removed, was designed in such a way that the ball could have easily slipped through space. Afridi did not face any issues, but the team caught the attention of both viewers on social media and members of the comment box.
He has always been prepared to innovate throughout his career. Here’s Shahid Afridi in a new batting helmet today #PSLV #Cricket pic.twitter.com/cZu7Y8oy5p
– Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) November 14, 2020
Is it me or is Afridi’s helmet grill really dangerous?
It seems to be wide open around the eyes and mouth area 🤨#PSL #MSvKK
– Tanzil Khawaja (@TanzilKhawaja) November 14, 2020
Shahid Afridi solving the problem / destroying the tip of his modern fixed mesh helmets. pic.twitter.com/kXpaeVgdCG
– Dave Tickner (@tickerscricket) November 14, 2020
“The [Afridi] he’s got an interesting grid on Jonty, I’ve never seen that before, ”former cricketer Bazid Khan said in a comment during PSL qualifying.
Rhodes sided with Afridi and said he understood where she was coming from. “I played a couple of months ago and had a problem with the top bar of the grid. I understand where it is, I couldn’t see through it either. So I got mine from a security point of view, ”said the South African.
Over the years, the ICC has always tried to design helmets for the safety of players, even more so after the untimely death of Phillip Hughes in 2014. Recently, Sachin Tendulkar also raised the issue of making helmets mandatory for batters after Vijay Shankar was hit. during one of the IPL matches.
After hitting 12 with the bat, Afridi picked up the crucial window of Iftikhar Ahmed during the Kings chase. In the end, the Sultans lost the match in a Super Over after both teams were locked in 141 runs.
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