Pakistan showed remarkable resilience, recovering from a precarious position of 141/5 to post a competitive total of 270 on the scoreboard after choosing to bat first at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
While Saud Shakeel played a pivotal role in the recovery with a fluent half-century, the lower-order batsmen contributed crucial cameos that injected much-needed momentum into the Men in Green’s struggling innings.
Just when it seemed like the innings was about to conclude in the 47th over, Mohammad Wasim Jr., an unlikely tailender, delivered a significant blow that left fans astounded. Wasim was thrust into action after Tabraiz Shamsi dismissed Shaheen Afridi in the slips during the 45th over.
He cautiously defended the first two deliveries from the dangerous wrist-spinner, who had already claimed four wickets. However, on the penultimate delivery of the over, Wasim seized an opportunity to break free from the shackles.
Shamsi overpitched the ball wide outside off, tempting the batsman to unleash a flamboyant helicopter shot. Wasim made perfect contact with the Kookaburra, sending it soaring over midwicket and notching his lone six of the innings.
This audacious shot immediately evoked memories of the iconic MS Dhoni, who had made the helicopter shot his trademark over his illustrious career. Fans took to social media to express their amazement at witnessing this stroke, which occurred at the very venue associated with Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings.