Afridi spins Renegades to 1st win

All-rounder takes three wickets in Big Bash League match.

Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi refused to stay away from headlines Down Under for too long, grabbing three wickets - including one in his first over - to guide Melbourne Renegades to a close, six run win over Sydney Thunder.

Afridi was brought into the attack in the seventh over, with Sydney nicely placed at 58 for no loss, chasing 141 for victory. The all-rounder, however, upset the momentum with a wicket off his second ball and then returned with two more to seal maximum points for the Renegades — their first in the tournament.

Chris Gayle threatened to do it all alone, striking a 54-ball 75, but his partners struggled for runs and failed to give him the required support.

Earlier, Melbourne were indebted to an 82-run opening stand between Aaron Finch (41) and Brad Hodge (44) to post a competitive 140 for eight off their quota. Afridi, promoted up the order, could only manage 16 off 14 balls and fellow Pakistani Abdul Razzaq scored a run-a-ball 13 to ensure a total they could defend.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 31^st, 2011.