The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy witnessed an unforgettable match on Tuesday. In the 45th game of the ICC T20 World Cup, Pakistan faced England in a crucial Super Eights, Group 2 clash. While England won by two wickets to secure a spot in the semi-finals, a memorable moment of sportsmanship stood out: Shaheen Shah Afridi offering a handshake to Harry Brook after bowling him out.
Shaheen Afridi explains handshake with Harry Brook during Super 8 match
In a tense atmosphere where qualification for the semi-finals was at stake, Afridi’s gesture toward the England captain showed respect. After getting Brook out for an impressive 100 off 51 balls, Afridi chose not to celebrate but instead walked over to shake hands with him.
Afridi later described the handshake as a nod to Brook’s excellent innings. The two have a history as former teammates with the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Despite competing internationally, their friendship stood out. Brook had moved to No. 3 in the batting order and effectively dismantled the Pakistani bowling attack even after his team struggled early on.
“He deserved it for playing a world-class innings. Harry and I have a great friendship… when anyone plays like that, you should appreciate them,” Afridi stated after the match. He acknowledged Brook’s preparation, mentioning that the batter seemed “properly ready for every ball,” forcing bowlers to alter their strategy on a challenging pitch.
Afridi shines with four-wicket haul against England
While Brook’s century—the first for an England captain in T20 World Cup history—grabbed headlines, Afridi’s performance was equally remarkable. After a brief period out of action, the left-arm pacer showcased why he’s considered one of the top new-ball bowlers, finishing with figures of 4 for 30.
Afridi’s impressive spell began with a delivery that bowled Phil Salt for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings. He also took out veteran Jos Buttler and the dangerous Jacob Bethell during the Powerplay, putting England in a tough spot at 35/3. Even as Brook steadied the innings, Afridi continued to pose a threat, eventually bowling Brook right after he reached his century.
Though Pakistan lost by two wickets, Shaheen’s four-wicket haul highlighted his reputation as a big-game player. His ability to strike early and late kept Pakistan in a match that seemed nearly lost after England’s strong middle innings. For many, seeing “Vintage Shaheen” back in form was a positive takeaway from a result that put Pakistan’s semi-final chances in jeopardy.
