Shahid Afridi to once again play for Hampshire in 2017 NatWest T20 Blast

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi will once again feature in Hampshire’s squad in the 2017 edition of the NatWest T20 Blast. Afridi has confirmed that he will join his Hampshire teammates ahead of the start of England’s domestic T20 league. He has also said that he will be available for the entirety of the tournament.

Shahid Afridi, or Boom Boom as he is more commonly known, became a crowd favorite during his first stint with the English club back in 2011. The 37-year old was back with Hampshire for the 2016 season, and Hampshire Cricket was delighted to announce Afridi’s signing for the upcoming tournament as well.

Hampshire has been good to Afridi, who performed with both bat and ball in previous editions of the tournament. Afridi the leg-spinner bagged 28 wickets across seasons, at an exceptional average of 18.32. His batting peaked in the 2011 semi-final at Edgbaston, when Afridi launched an onslaught against Somerset. He powered his side to 138 off 15.5 overs with a stunning 42-ball 80.

Shahid Afrid will be an added bonus for the Hampshire side, much to the delight of Hampshire Director of Cricket, Giles White. He said, “We’re thrilled to welcome Shahid back to the club for the coming T20 Blast campaign. He’s been an important part of our success in the short form of the game in previous seasons and we feel his talents fit well with the current squad.”

Good run for the Peshawar Zalmi

Most recently, Afridi was involved in a successful season with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League, who went on to lift the trophy. The final of the 2017 PSL was held in Lahore under beefed up security. Afridi amassed 177 runs in 8 innings, including a brilliant 54 off 28 against the Karachi Kings.

The 2017 edition of the NatWest T20 Blast kicks off on July 7 this year. Hampshire will begin their campaign with a clash against Glamorgan on the opening day of the tournament.