Top ‘Boom Boom Afridi’ moments of PSL 2017

The man who owns the stadium the moment he steps in to bat – Shahid Afridi, whether you love him for his sixers or are left frustrated when he’s caught out while charging down the pitch, has brought an incredible energy to Peshawar Zalmi and, of course, the Pakistan Super League.

Afridi is the ninth highest scorer in PSL 2017 so far, with 177 runs to his name at an average of 29.50 and strike rate of 175.24. Before Zalmi battle it out with Karachi Kings in the knockout game on Friday night for a place in the final, let’s recap some of the most memorable moments Afridi has given to his fans so far in this tournament.

Match-winning knock which propelled Zalmi to top of the table

Afridi blasted 45 off 23 balls against Quetta Gladiators on Feb 25, powering Zalmi to a 2-wicket win and taking his team to the top of the points table, as Zalmi secured a place in the playoffs.

The flamboyant all-rounder smashed 3 sixes and 3 fours in his power knock, as the crowd erupted each time his bat connected with the ball.

17.2 SIX! Mohammad Nawaz to Shahid Afridi
watch https://t.co/RAI2cD6g05#PZvQG #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/BExL2PFLXF

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

The fan-favourite hit a massive four to seal the innings, topping it with his signature pose as he waved the bat in the air to a deafening roar from the stands.

19.2 Shahid Afridi scores the match-winning FOUR for Peshawar Zalmi!
watch https://t.co/OStukFrSxp#PZvQG #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/C8HxfCOtN5

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 25, 2017

Heroic fifty which was just not enough

Zalmi fell short by 9 runs against Karachi Kings on Feb 19, but the match was defined by Afridi’s valiant batting which brought him back to his form and silenced the critics yet again.

15.1 SIX! Sohail Khan to Shahid Afridi!
watch https://t.co/VqXj04EA8P
#PZvKK #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/G0otSvX6dI

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2017

The all-rounder blitzed 54 off 28 balls, almost snatching the victory from the jaws of the Kings as he smashed boundaries around the historic Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

19.3 SIX! Usama Mir to Shahid Afridi and and 50 comes up for Shahid Afridi!
watch https://t.co/VqXj04EA8P
#PZvKK #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/D5R0Qp29DD

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 19, 2017

Goodbye.. again!

Following his 54-off-28 against Kings, Afridi held a presser where he reiterated that he does not aim to play international cricket again and has already said goodbye to it.

Although the veteran cricketer had already said late last year that he did not plan to return to international cricket, this was the first time Afridi bid goodbye as the world watched.

Afridi bids farewell to international cricket https://t.co/00IxcGXMjp
#PSL2017 #PSLonGeo pic.twitter.com/WzYQqt1KMQ

— Geo News Sport (@geonews_sport) February 20, 2017

His statement sent the social media into a meltdown, as lovers and haters alike flocked to the internet to share their emotions on his farewell (again!)

Oops.. must-watch expression after KP’s massive six

Who doesn’t look helpless when Kevin Pietersen is on fire? KP started smashing boundaries the moment he came to the crease during the first playoff between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi on Feb 28.

One of those sixers was particularly huge. KP whacked the ball out of the park, and cameras zoomed in on Afridi who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else than be suffering the wrong end of KP’s bat.

5.5 SIX! Wahab Riaz to Kevin Pietersen
watch https://t.co/fVtVzeKfHP#PZvQG #HBLPSL #AbKhelJamayGa pic.twitter.com/B3WjEV1VJp

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 28, 2017

That’s okay, Lala. We all have our share of good and bad moments.

Expectations from Afridi, as usual, are at an all-time high as Zalmi face off against Kings in Friday’s knockout game. All eyes will be on him – will his performance give fans another night to chant ‘Boom Boom Afridi’? Or will the millions watching be left high and dry if he fails to deliver? We will wait and find out.