Pakistan vs Bangladesh World T20: Shahid Afridi Strikes Back With a Vengeance

Shahid Afridi showed no signs of any illness as his batting hit fever pitch at Eden Gardens on Wednesday afternoon. The maverick Pakistan captain showed vintage form as he batted true to style to bludgeon a 19-ball 49 to lift his team to an imposing 201for five wickets in 20 overs in a World T20 clash against Bangladesh. (Scorecard | Blog)

Afridi skipped nets on Tuesday sending wrong signals after his 'India Love' comments came in for sharp criticism and even a legal case back home. Almost certainly playing his last T20 World Cup, Afridi seized his chance against Bangladesh and promoted himself to No. 4 to take the game by the scruff of its neck.

Afridi, the quintessential team man, was out for 49, typically trying a big hit in the final over of the innings. His innings was studded with four fours and as many sixes as Afridi hit a strike rate of 257.9.

"The T20 World Cup is a big event and I wanted to take responsibility. I talked about my batting order with the coach (Waqar Younis) and he was happy. I am happy to perform for Pakistan," said Afridi.

Afridi played a crucial role with the ball after Mohammad Amir did early damage to the in-form Bangladeshi batsmen. Afridi took two for 47 as he finished Man of the Match in Pakistan's emphatic 55-run win.

The 36-year-old superstar made the headlines after India convinced Pakistan that there were no security concerns to play the World T20 in Kolkata and Mohali.

Overwhelmed by the reception he got in Kolkata, Afridi said "he was more loved in India than Pakistan". His reaction angered several people back home and that included former Pakistan die-hard Javed Miandad.

Pakistan have been in shoddy form in recent times. They have lost twice to Bangladesh and the last defeat came recently in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh. Afridi's reputation as a captain also lay in tatters as his form deserted him at crucial moments. Yet, the Pakistan selectors stuck to him as captain.

They say cricket is a great leveller and Eden Gardens gave Afridi the perfect platform to show why he is still so dangerous as a cricketer. Afridi took his anger out on the Bangladeshi bowlers, smashing the ball to all parts of the ground as the fans celebrated. The end result was Pakistan's best score ever in World T20 history.