Hampshire’s unbeaten run ends

Reigning champions lose as Afridi plays first match of season.

LONDON:

Reigning champions Hampshire lost for the first time in the Friends Life Twenty20 league this season, despite Shahid Afridi making his debut for the county, as they suffered a 26-run defeat against Essex.

Former Pakistan captain Afridi’s first match for Hampshire had been long delayed due to a dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) as they refused to grant him back his NOC to play in England.

The leg-spinner produced an excellent spell of one for 23 in his maximum four overs. But by that stage Tim Southee, promoted to open the Essex innings, had struck the Hampshire attack for 74, including five sixes and six fours in the major contribution to the hosts’ total of 162 for seven.

Southee, most of whose shots were orthodox strokes, followed up with three wickets and two catches.

Despite a stylish fifty from James Vince, Hampshire struggled to keep up with the required run-rate and were almost out of the match when Afridi took guard at number six.

Afridi managed just two runs before he was bowled by left-arm spinner Tim Phillips.

Flashback

The all-rounder had locked horns with the PCB by announcing his retirement from international cricket after being dumped as limited-overs captain, and criticising the current management.

The PCB suspended his central contract and revoked permission for him to play abroad, preventing him from joining Hampshire.

Afridi challenged the decision last week but the matter was settled out of court following a meeting with the PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt in Islamabad.

Afridi said he hoped to make a fresh start playing for Hampshire.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2011.