“Shameless, Immature”: Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan Slammed After Aggressive Acts VS SA, Umpires Do This.

Tempers flared with Pakistan players indulging in ultra-aggressive acts against South Africa in the must-win ODI

Pakistan vs South Africa ODI: A Fiery Encounter as South Africa Sets a Huge Target

The Pakistan vs South Africa ODI in the ongoing Tri-Series was a must-win for both teams, as both had lost their opening matches against New Zealand. This crucial match determined which team would qualify for the final against New Zealand on Friday. The game, however, was marred by aggressive incidents, with Pakistan players showing intense frustration on the field.

Heated Moments in the Match

• Shaheen Afridi vs Matthew Breetzke: The first incident occurred when Shaheen Afridi became involved in a heated altercation with Matthew Breetzke. After defending a delivery, Breetzke’s gesture appeared to anger Afridi, leading to a clash mid-pitch.
• Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam vs. Temba Bavuma: The tension continued when Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam got too close to Temba Bavuma following the South African captain’s runout. The umpires had to intervene and speak to Pakistan’s captain, Mohammed Rizwan, about the incident.

These incidents triggered a social media backlash, with fans criticizing the aggressive behavior.

• Fan Reaction: Social media was filled with criticism, with many calling out the immaturity of Shaheen Afridi, even after years of international experience.
  • One user commented: “Shaheen Shah Afridi is so immature even after playing international cricket for almost 5 years.”
  • Another user expressed frustration over the treatment of Temba Bavuma, questioning the ethics of the Pakistan team.

Breetzke Shines with Another Stellar Performance

Despite the fiery moments, South Africa put on a dominant display with the bat, posting a huge total of 352-5 in their allotted 50 overs.

• Matthew Breetzke’s Impressive Performance:
  • Breetzke became the first batter in history to score a century and a half-century in his opening two ODIs.
  • His 83 runs off 84 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and a six, came after his remarkable 150 against New Zealand earlier in the week.
  • Breetzke’s knock bettered Desmond Haynes’ record of 195 runs in his first two ODIs in 1978.
• Other Contributions:
  • Temba Bavuma continued his fine form, scoring 82 runs from 96 balls, which included 13 boundaries.
  • Heinrich Klaasen added a quick-fire 87, playing a rapid 56-ball knock with 3 sixes and 11 boundaries, as South Africa piled on the runs in the final 10 overs.
  • Kyle Verreynne (44) and Corbin Bosch (15) were not out, helping South Africa finish strong and surpass the 350-run mark.

Pakistan’s Bowling Struggles

• Shaheen Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for Pakistan, taking 2-66. However, the rest of the bowlers were unable to contain the South African batting onslaught.
• The Pakistani bowlers were particularly ineffective in the final 10 overs, as South Africa added 110 runs in that period, setting a daunting target.

The Road Ahead

• Winner to Face New Zealand in the Final: The winner of this ODI will meet New Zealand in the final of the Tri-Series, set for Friday in Karachi.
• Tri-Series Warm-Up for Champions Trophy: This Tri-Series serves as a warm-up for the Champions Trophy, which will start next week in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

The intense match highlighted the aggressive nature of both teams but also showcased South Africa’s batting strength, setting the stage for a thrilling final.