There is a purpose why former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi was given the nickname ‘Increase-Increase’. One of many best attacking batters Pakistan has produced, Afridi held the document of scoring the quickest century in ODI cricket, having notched up a 37-ball ton in opposition to Sri Lanka in Nairobi, for a very long time. In 2014, New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson broke Afridi’s document in 36 balls. Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers then shattered Anderson’s document by registering a 31-ball ton in opposition to West Indies in 2015.
Whereas there have been just a few faster tons than Afridi’s, there’s particular story behind the retired Pakistan star’s century that Indians are keen on. It was revealed by Afridi himself that he used the good Sachin Tendulkar‘s bat to attain that 37-ball hundred.
“I’ve safely stored the bat with which I performed my first innings. The bat created historical past. It was Sachin’s bat and he’s one among my favorite gamers and I created a world document from his bat. And I’m grateful to Waqar Younis for the bat as he was the one who gave it to me after I was training earlier than the match. He requested me to play the sport with that bat,” he had mentioned in a YouTube video, as per TNN again in 2021.
“The bat performed a serious function within the making of Shahid Afridi. It’s extremely particular for me. In between, I attempted to play with it afterward however then determined to protect it,” he added.
#OnThisDay in 1996. The day Shahid Afridi smashed 11 sixes and took solely 37 balls to succeed in a ODI century.
Afridi when talking about this innings “after I’m not performing nicely with the bat I watch my 37 ball hundred on youtube” #Cricket pic.twitter.com/48hLfuKa26
— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) October 4, 2023
Afridi’s former Pakistan teammate Azhar Mahmood additionally revealed an intriguing story tied to that Sachin Tendulkar bat utilized by the retired all-rounder.
“In these days, the 2 Sri Lankan openers, Jayasuriya and wicketkeeper Kaluwitharana, they used to assault upfront. So we thought we’d like somebody who may bat at No.3. Afridi and I ? Wasim mentioned you guys go and attempt to slog (within the nets). I used to be slogging sensibly and Afridi went in opposition to the spinners, murdering everybody within the nets,” Mahmood recalled.
“Subsequent day, we obtained the sport in opposition to Sri Lanka they usually mentioned he (Afridi) is batting at quantity three. I believe Waqar (Younis) obtained a bat from Sachin (Tendulkar), he used the good Sachin’s bat and managed to get 100 and after that, he grew to become a batsman. Primarily he was a bowler who can hit the ball, however ultimately, he had a beautiful profession,” he added.
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