What most cricketers can do, Shahid ‘Boom Boom’ Afridi can do better.
Like retirement, which players normally announce once or twice form various forms of the game. But Afridi? Oh no, sir! As of February 22nd, he has already announced it four times!
"Shahid Afridi" announcing international retirement is same as "31 December k baad Set Top box lagana anivarya hai".
— IMRAN KHAN (@imranmkkhan) February 20, 2017
And now, the Pakistani all-rounder has managed to pull off another feat, this time as a player for the Karachi Kings in Pakistan Super League (PSL).
The Karachi Kings were playing against the Quetta Gladiators, who were batting. Umar Amin was on strike, at 31, and Muhammad Irfan just threw a length delivery, which Amin hit with full power. It was going to be a boundary for sure…. if it wasn’t for Shahid Afridi and his phenomenal catch!
The ball was pretty much over the boundary when Afridi leaped in the air and snatched the ball with one hand. He tossed it up in the air, and then, changing his stance, he jumped inside the boundary again, managing to triumphantly finish his catch!
You’ve got to see the it to appreciate the magnificence of it all!
Shahid Afridi is truly an ageless cricketer. 21 years after his debut he is still finding ways to entertain the crowd. The catch by him today, without exaggeration, is the greatest effort by a Pakistani fielder on the boundary. He’s the real Karachi King! pic.twitter.com/JRBHPIZvMA
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 23, 2018
Mind you, these kind of catches aren’t an unseen travesty in cricket. But to watch a 37-year-old player pull it off with such efficiency and the vigour of a young man was what caught people’s fancy!
Twitter erupted in praise, of course, most of them surprised and in awe of the Afridi’s quick reflexes!
1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Shahid Afridi!
Shahid Afridi is truly an ageless cricketer. 21 years after his debut he is still finding ways to entertain the crowd. The catch by him today, without exaggeration, is the greatest effort by a Pakistani fielder on the boundary. He’s the real Karachi King! pic.twitter.com/JRBHPIZvMA
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 23, 2018
2. Indeed!
This is the catch of the league..#PSL3 #KarachiKings@SAfridiOfficial
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) February 23, 2018
3. Boom Boom Lala!
Shahid Afridi today’s catch reminds me that catch which lala took in 2009 🔥❤️😍👇🔥❤️@moeezgillani11 pic.twitter.com/85hBkJvnMG
— Moeezgillani (@Moeezgillani11) February 23, 2018
4. Stay blessed!
https://twitter.com/SofiMuddasir1/status/967257942482472966
5. Age is just a number, folks!
That catch by Shahid Afridi only adds to that "what is his age" dilemma. One of the best I've seen. #PSL3
— KASHISH (@crickashish217) February 24, 2018
The best part was when Shahid Afridi himself echoed popular sentiments in response to fellow cricketer Mohammad Hafeez’s tweet!
Hafeez called ‘Afridi’ a young boy and praised him for his catch.
WOW LALA, super catch , young boy well done 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼@SAfridiOfficial stay blessed https://t.co/fC6kQYgUWP
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) February 23, 2018
To which, the ‘young boy’ Afridi had the perfect response!
Abhi to mai jawan hou😎 https://t.co/9YPExA8UuB
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) February 23, 2018
They say catches win matches. While the Karachi Kings did manage to win the match, the 37-year-‘young’ Karachi King Shahid Afridi’s stunning one -handed catch just won everyone’s hearts!