Shaheen Afridi bowls the most expensive spell in Pakistan’s World Cup history, Haris Rauf also concedes most sixes in a World Cup.
New Zealand Vs Pakistan World Cup 2023 Scores Updates Highlights: In a high-stakes encounter, New Zealand displayed an exceptional batting performance against Pakistan, setting a remarkable milestone by scoring 401 runs in their allotted fifty overs. This noteworthy achievement marks the first time that New Zealand has crossed the 400-run mark in a World Cup match.
However, it was a day to forget for the Pakistani bowlers as they found themselves on the receiving end of a relentless New Zealand onslaught. Two of Pakistan’s premier bowlers, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, endured a tough outing on the field, leaving a blemish on their World Cup records.
Shaheen Afridi, who stands as the second-highest wicket-taker in the current World Cup with 16 wickets from seven matches, went wicketless against New Zealand. His economy took a significant hit as he conceded a whopping 90 runs in his ten overs, marking the most expensive spell by a Pakistani bowler in World Cup history.
What makes this performance even more surprising is that Shaheen Afridi surpassed Haris Rauf’s record, as Rauf had earlier conceded 85 runs in his ten overs during the same match. The list of the most expensive spells by Pakistani bowlers in the World Cup now includes:
- Shaheen Afridi – 0/90 in 10 overs vs. New Zealand (2023)*
- Haris Rauf – 1/85 in 10 overs vs. New Zealand (2023)*
- Hassan Ali – 1/84 in 9 overs vs. India (2019)
- Haris Rauf – 3/83 in 8 overs vs. Australia (2023)
In an additional blow to Shaheen Afridi’s performance, he concluded his streak of taking at least one wicket in his previous 24 ODI matches. This disappointing spell occurred shortly after Afridi had attained the No. 1 ODI bowler ranking in the ICC rankings.
Haris Rauf, too, faced an unenviable record, conceding the most sixes (16) by a bowler in a single World Cup edition.