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Shaheen Shah Afridi names Hashim Amla as the toughest batter he has faced, surpassing Virat Kohli, in Tests and ODIs.
Pakistan’s pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi (AP)
Ace Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has said that former South African cricketer Hashim Amla is the toughest batter that he has ever faced, having played in Tests and ODIs against him. The star Protea batter was recently seen at the World Championship of Legends.
One would expect that Afridi would have named someone like ace Indian batter Virat Kohli. In six innings, the latter scored 88 runs against Afridi and was dismissed twice. That contest will no longer be seen in the shortest format.
Kohli remains active in ODIs and if he plays through to the 2027 World Cup, the world could yet see him and Afridi face off again.
“Hashim Amla. I’ve played Tests and ODIs against him and he is a tough competitor. I also played a match against him in the Vitality Blast, a T20 tournament in England. I felt that he is a very good batter and he is excellent at what he does,” Afridi said while speaking on the Bricks to Riches Asia podcast.
“Virat Kohli is a different player, but Hashim bhai is tougher than him. Absolute toughest,” Afridi said.
In August, the ace Pakistan pacer achieved a historic feat during the first ODI against the Windies in Trinidad.
Opting to bowl, Pakistan bundled out the Windies for 280 after Evin Lewis, Roston Chase and captain Shai Hope hit fifties.
In return, Pakistan chased down the target in less than 49 overs with five wickets in hand. Afridi took four wickets and played a crucial role in Pakistan’s win.
With this four-for, the star Pakistan pacer completed 131 wickets after playing 65 ODIs. Afridi has now become the highest wicket-taker after 65 ODIs.
The second-highest number of wickets after playing the same number of ODIs were taken by Rashid Khan, who took 128 wickets.
Pakistan will begin their campaign against Oman at the Asia Cup on September 12.
September 06, 2025, 18:33 is
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