Shahid Afridi’s Top 3 Performances in Test Cricket

Shahid Afridi is a fan favorite in Pakistan. Even after his retirement, the love for him remains the same. He built his stature with his impactful performances for his team. The former Pakistan captain is predominantly remembered for his success in white-ball cricket, but in this article, we will focus on his top 3 performances in Test cricket.

156 vs India, 2006

An India-Pakistan contest is the biggest rivalry in world cricket. Whenever these two teams collide, there is enormous pressure on players to perform. But Shahid Afridi thrived under that pressure, as his performances testify. His best batting performance in Test cricket came against India at Faisalabad. In the first innings of that Test, Afridi built an important partnership with Inzamam-ul-Haq. The all-rounder scored 156 runs, which was crucial in guiding Pakistan to 588 runs in the first innings.

5/52 vs Australia, 1998

Playing against Australia is a big test for any player who comes from the subcontinent. However, Shahid Afridi negotiated that challenge brilliantly. He delivered his best bowling spell in Test cricket against the mighty Aussies in 1998 at Karachi. Pakistan restricted Australia to 280 runs in the first innings, and it would not have been possible without Afridi’s outstanding bowling performance. He picked up 5 key wickets, including the dismissals of stalwarts like Steve Waugh and Mark Waugh.

141 vs India, 1999

The Chennai Test in 1999 is one of the most remembered Test matches between India and Pakistan. Pakistan won this Test, and the large crowd in Chennai appreciated the rivals’ phenomenal performance. Young Shahid Afridi was one of the main architects of that victory. His 141 runs in the second innings turned the match in Pakistan’s favor. It is not easy to score runs in Indian conditions in the second innings, but Afridi did this herculean job, which proved to be decisive in the end. Pakistan won this match by a narrow margin of 12 runs.