Twitter Reactions: Shaheen Shah Afridi steamrolls West Indies, keeps Pakistan in winning position

Pakistan thoroughly dominated the proceedings on day four of the second Test match against West Indies in Kingston. Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was the wrecker in chief as he picked up six wickets and made sure the visitors had a healthy 152-run lead. With enough game time left, the Pakistani batters came out all guns blazing and added 176 runs in 27.2 overs before skipper Babar Azam declared setting a target of 330 for West Indies to chase in the fourth innings.

The fourth day began on 39 for three for the home team and the script didn’t change much as wickets kept falling at regular intervals. Bonner was the top scorer with 37 and, Blackwood offered some resistance for his 33. Afridi’s sensational spell of fast bowling bundled the hosts out for just 150. Mohammad Abbas was brilliant with the ball picking up three wickets. The duo’s efforts gave Azam and the team some hope of winning the Test match and drawing the series 1-1.

West Indies need 280 more runs to win the match on Day 5

Skipper Azam and his batters enjoyed the license to go for the kill in the thirdinnings. Imran Butt Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, and Azam contributed by scoring 37, 29, 22, and 33 respectively. With some overs left on day four, Babar Azam declared the innings on 176.

With a steep target to chase down, the home team’s openers Kraigg Braithwaite, Kieran Powell applied much better this time around and were ready to grind it out in the middle. Just as the duo was about to come unscathed on day four, a lapse in concentration occurred as Powell was run out for 23.

Nightwatchman Alzarri Joseph waded a tricky little period and remained unbeaten on eight. He had skipper Braithwaite for the company, who is unbeaten at 17. The home team still needs 280 runs to get on day five with nine wickets remaining.

Meanwhile, the visitors should fancy themselves winning the match and thereby leveling the series 1-1. With Afridi and Abbas looking in good rhythm, the West Indies batters have a task cut out on their hands.

Here are the best tweets from Day 4

@iShaheenAfridi 3rd wicket in the inns for Asia's best all format bowler. What a talent. #Cricket #WIvPAK

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) August 23, 2021

Mohammad Rizwan demonstrates to the West Indian bowlers how they could avoid a damp patch in their run ups WITH HIS PADS ON. How can you not love him…? 🤣🤣🤣 #WIvPAKpic.twitter.com/jrhFpl15wr

— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) August 23, 2021

Shaheen Afridi got 33 wickets this year in test cricket. Only Ashwin has (38) more than him. Can he go pass Ashwin at the end of this year?#PAKvWI pic.twitter.com/NgBhjDYM0I

— Ahmer Najeeb Raja (@ahmersatti90) August 23, 2021

Alexa Play Shaheen Afridi
Alexa : Sorry Shaheen Afridi is unplayable 🙌 pic.twitter.com/BpGlKM7VPg

— @asad_qureshi258 Suspended (@babaraddictor56) August 23, 2021

Shaheen Afridi! You just cannot keep him out of the game!

A brilliant direct hit to get Pakistan their first wicket in the 4th innings.#WIvPAK | #WTC23 pic.twitter.com/1kOJpNTkUR

— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) August 23, 2021

• Across formats in 2021:

– Most runs:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Joe Root – 1424
🇵🇰 Mohammad Rizwan – 1273
🇵🇰 Babar Azam – 1212

– Most wickets:

🇵🇰 Hasan Ali – 54
🇵🇰 Shaheen Afridi – 51#WIvPAK #PAKvWI

— Iram Queen( فالو بیک پکّا) (@cricketQueen46) August 23, 2021

Oo bhai sb!! OP throw by Shaheen Afridi 💥👏#WIvsPAK pic.twitter.com/k4NwWIizjI

— Abdul Rehman 🇵🇰 (@thoraparhlein) August 23, 2021

6 wickets for Shaheen Afridi. Gem of a bowler we have🤩❤#PAKvWI

— Marwah Khan (@MarwahKhan64) August 23, 2021

Brilliant in the slips,
Excellent in the outfield.

Batting, Fielding, Captaincy – Babar Azam is everywhere 🔥 #PAKvWI #WIvPAK pic.twitter.com/PDsGwcA1aR

— Team Babar Azam (@Team_BabarAzam) August 23, 2021