After Shahid Afridi wishes Yuvraj on his retirement, Indian recalls his 40-ball 100 in Kanpur

Ever since India’s ace batsman Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from the game on Monday, the cricket world has been buzzing. Although the 37-year-old did not play for India after June 2017 as his form dipped significantly, his image among the fans never diminished. One of those batsmen who has a rare record of hitting six sixes in a world championship and also picking the man of the series award in yet anotherWorld Cup, Yuvraj will be remembered by history as one of India’s best talents.

Wishes came in thick and fast for the legendary left-arm cricketer and among them were the kind words of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi. In a tweet, Afridi hailed Yuvraj as an amazing batsman and brilliant fielder who had a big-match temperament. He also praised the former India cricketer’s fighting ability which he called “inspiring”. Yuvraj has been a cancer survivor who beat the disease to return to play for India again.

Yuvraj still remembers the 46-ball 102 Afridi scored in Kanpur

Yuvraj responded to Afridi calling him “Mr Boom Boom” which the Pakistani is known as for his big-hitting ability. He also took a dig in memories recalling a 40-ball 100 that Afridi has hit against India in Kanpur during Pakistan’s 2005 series in India. It was the fifth ODI of a six-match series and Inzamam-ul-Haq’s side won that match by five wickets with almost eight overs to spare, thanks to Afridi’s 46-ball 102.

Led by stand-in captain Rahul Dravid, India scored 249 for 6 before the Afridi storm hit them. Yuvraj himself had scored only 18 in that game off 33 balls but in that 18, he hit four fours. Afridi was the man of the match because of his brisk century.

That game also had some other statistical significance. It was the 100th ODI match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. Afridi’s hundred was the fastest against India and by hitting nine sixes in the game, the Pakistani had also become the first batsman to slam 200 sixes in the 50-overs format. Pakistan had won that series 4-2 despite trailing 0-2 in the beginning.