PSL 2018: Shahid Afridi's stunner sends Twitterati into frenzy

The third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL) commenced earlier this week as the T20 superstars of Pakistan and other countries took the field. The star-studded opening ceremony preceded the first game which was played between the debutants Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi. But the action on the field came alive on the second day when Shahid Afridi, the crowd favourite, took a stunning catch at the boundary. However, soon after the trademark celebrations from the veteran Twitter was flooded with the tweets as the fans loved his athleticism.

Afridi is playing for Karachi Kings as they locked horns with the runners-up of the last season Quetta Gladiators. The skipper of Karachi Imad Wasim opted to bat first in order to post a decent total on the board. They scored 149 runs after 20 overs which seemed a little below par at that stage and they also lacked the final push owing to the collapse in the death overs. Afridi could score only 4 runs with the bat off 8 balls and was castled by Shane Watson.

Twitter hails Lala

But Shahid Afridi made sure he made the difference on the field and made up for his batting failure. First, he bowled brilliantly and scalped a key wicket of the opposition skipper Sarfraz Ahmed by pinning him in front. However, the game which was in the balance turned dramatically in the 13th over. The set batsman Umar Amin lofted the full-length delivery Mohammad Irfan Jnr towards long on where the all-rounder was stationed. He leapt in the air to catch but when he felt that his momentum was taking him over the ropes, he got rid of the ball.

He also made sure that he came back on the field and grab the ball again after which the trademark Afridi celebration was unfurled which was loved by the crowd as the Stadium started buzzing with the chants of the cricketer. The wicket turned the game towards Kings and eventually won the game by 19 runs by restricting their opponents to 130 runs after 20 overs.

Twitterati loved the way Afridi took the catch and hailed the legend for making the difference for his team.

Here’s how they reacted:

The super catch moments by our very own Lala @SAfridiOfficial ❤#supercatch #KarachiKings #ShahidAfridi #KKvsQG #DeDhanaDhan #KKwon pic.twitter.com/HkRIMmhtpr

— Karachi Kings (@KarachiKingsARY) February 23, 2018

Shahid Afridi’s heroic super human catch to Junaid Khan’s hat-trick to Ahmad Shahzad blinder!! All in 1 single day of PSL! Entertainment at its best and this has just started.. #HBLPSL3

— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) February 23, 2018

Shahid Afridi was trending in India earlier today #PSL2018 pic.twitter.com/IqXNy8dyT6

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 23, 2018

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

Not sure about Karachi Kings but Shahid Afridi surely has wings on him. pic.twitter.com/WE6efCOeut

— Umair (@Umairhunk2) February 23, 2018

When will these commentators stop calling Shahid Afridi a 37 years old cricketer?
Do you still need a better proof that he is still 17 years old. https://t.co/AWjPqA2ROK

— Sunil- The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 24, 2018

What a catch by Shahid Afridi. He may not be a pinch hitter anymore but, still has something to attract the crowd through his style, smile and charm.

— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) February 24, 2018

– if catches win matches then this one from Shahid Afridi should win KK the tournament! Absolutely surreal!! #HBLPSL

— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) February 23, 2018

Shahid Afridi’s catch tonight is the talk of the town right now. #KKvQG #HBLPSL #DilseJaanLagaDe

— Raza Mehdi (@SyedRezaMehdi) February 23, 2018

Keep following CricTracker for more updates on PSL.