[Watch] Shaheen Shah Afridi cleans up Tim Robinson with a peach in first over of PAK vs NZ 1st T20I

Pakistan new-ball bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi cleaned up debutant Tim Robinson with a ripper in the opening over of the first T20I against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Thursday, April 18. The former T20I skipper pulled off his trademark celebration following the wicket.

The dismissal occurred on just the second ball of the innings as a back-of-a-length in-swinger from the left-armer jagged back marginally to hit the top of the middle stump. Robinson tried to go over mid-wicket only to hear the death rattle behind him.

However, the wicket also marked curtains for the match as the rain returned again, making even a five-over contest impossible. Pakistan named three debutants for the encounter in which New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat. Muhammad Irfan Khan, Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed made their T20I debuts; Robinson was the only debutant for the visitors.

Babar Azam clears the air amid reports of rift with Shaheen Shah Afridi

Babar Azam, who replaced Afridi as captain under controversial circumstances, claimed that their bond remained strong despite what had occurred. The 29-year-old declared that their common goal is to take Pakistan to new heights.

Babar stated in a press conference a day before the first T20I, as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:

“I want to make clear that Shaheen [Afridi] and my bond is not recent, it goes back a long way. We support each other in every situation. Our aim is to put Pakistan first, and how to put Pakistan’s name up in lights. We don’t think of individual glory, and thankfully, those elements are not present in my team.”

The second T20 will take place on April 20 in Rawalpindi. Pakistan will also play T20I series against England and Ireland ahead of the T20 World Cup beginning on June 2.