Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi says he will probably be dwelling a dream when he makes his Middlesex residence debut at Lord’s on Thursday. The towering left-arm fast has signed to play for the English county membership, primarily based on the London floor — the sport’s religious residence.
“It’s each cricketer’s dream to return right here and play on the residence of cricket,” Afridi told reporters at Lord’s on Wednesday ahead of Middlesex’s match against Leicestershire.
IPL FULL COVERAGE | SCHEDULE | RESULTS | ORANGE CAP | PURPLE CAP
Afridi has already starred at the ground, taking 6-35 against Bangladesh during a 50-over 2019 World Cup match.
“Now I want to take 10 (wickets in an innings),” he mentioned with a smile. “When you play to your nation you all the time really feel proud and that got here towards Bangladesh so it was a great sport for me as nicely.
“As a teen, you’re taking part in in a World Cup sport and you’re taking six wickets so sure, it’s an enormous excessive for me and the most effective recollections for me.”
Rising star
Afridi, one of the rising stars of world cricket, with 95 wickets in 24 Tests at an average of 25, is set to play his maiden first-class match at Lord’s, having made his Middlesex debut away to Glamorgan last week.
Middlesex, who play in the second division of the County Championship, won that match by an innings and 82 runs, with 22-year-old Afridi taking four wickets.
“The first game, everywhere you go, is crucial,” mentioned the paceman, who twice dismissed Australian Test star Marnus Labuschagne within the match — after taking his wicket 3 times within the latest Test collection between Australia and Pakistan.
Afridi’s captain at Middlesex is one other Australia batsman in Peter Handscomb.
“It’s good being on this facet, undoubtedly,” said Handscomb, 31, who last played Test cricket in 2019.
“Not so nice in the nets, but out in the middle it’s nice having him on your team. That first game, the energy he had running in, the pace on the ball. He always wanted another over, so that energy is great to see from someone just coming in. The boys loved him, loved everything that he brought.
“I hope that’s a good sign to come for the next few games.”
Afridi is getting acclimatised to English circumstances in additional methods than one.
“Last week I felt chilly, however it’s actually good for me right here. I frolicked with my cousin and mates and my team-mates as nicely within the first sport and we actually loved that point.”
Afridi’s time in England will take him around the country but there is one location that counts above any other, as far as he is concerned.
“Lord’s is the one ground I like. Everything comes second after Lord’s.”
Get all the most recent updates on Cricket News, Cricket Photos, Cricket Videos, IPL 2022 Live Updates and Cricket Scores right here