5 moments of cricketing brilliance from 2021

#3 Shaheen Afridi’s fiery spell against India

Shaheen Afridi celebrates the wicket of Rohit Sharma during the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup. Pic: Getty Images

There were the usual expectations and hype ahead of the India versus Pakistan T20 Cricket World Cup 2021 encounter. However, Shaheen Afridi blew India away with a sensational spell of bowling at the start. Pakistan decided to field after winning the toss and Afridi dismissed Rohit Sharma for a golden duck with a peach. The Indian opener was late on a yorker-length delivery that curved in late and was hit right in front of the stumps.

In his next over, Afridi dismissed KL Rahul (3) as well. The right-hander was beaten for pace by a good length delivery that shaped in and crashed into the stumps. At 6 for 2, India were well and truly on the backfoot. The left-arm seamer returned to end Virat Kohli’s innings on 57, outfoxing him with a slower bouncer in another moment of cricketing brilliance.

Thanks to Afridi’s heroics, Pakistan restricted India to 151 for 7. Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam then cracked unbeaten fifties as Pakistan registered their maiden Cricket World Cup win against India in emphatic style.

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#2 Scott Boland's 6 for 7

Scott Boland celebrates after dismissing Joe Root. Pic: Getty Images

Australian pacer Scott Boland was added to the Ashes squad ahead of the Boxing Day Test, with the fast bowling department struggling with injuries and niggles. He ended up making his Test debut at the MCG, returning with figures of 6 for 7 from four overs in the second innings.

Boland claimed the wickets of Haseeb Hameed (7) and Jack Leach (0) late on Day 2. He returned to roll over England on Day 3 with some spectacular bowling. Boland trapped Jonny Bairstow (5) lbw, beating him for pace. He also ended Joe Root’s resistance for 28 as the England captain nicked an attempted drive.

Mark Wood (0) chipped one back to the bowler as Boland completed a five-fer on Test debut. He had six as Ollie Robinson (0) edged a length ball outside off. Australia retained the Ashes, winning the Test by an innings and 14 runs. Boland, meanwhile, made a fairy tale return to international cricket, having last played an ODI in 2016.

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#1 Matthew Wade goes berserk

Matthew Wade during the T20 Cricket World Cup semi-final against Pakistan. Pic: Getty Images

Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has had a stop-start career in international cricket. There weren't high hopes from him heading into the T20 Cricket World Cup 2021. However, he returned a hero following a stunning cameo in the 2nd semi-final that sunk favorites Pakistan.

Set 177 for victory, Australia seemed down and out, needing 37 off the last three overs. Wade slammed Hasan Ali for a six over long-on and a four past short fine leg to keep the team’s hopes alive. With 20 needed off 10 balls, Hasan dropped a simple catch of Wade at deep midwicket to deny Afridi a deserved wicket.

The drop cost Pakistan dearly. Wade sent the next three deliveries over the ropes to lift Australia into the T20 Cricket World Cup final. He first scooped a six over short fine leg and whipped the next one over midwicket.

The winning runs came in cheeky fashion, with Wade scooping another maximum over the keeper. Wade remained unbeaten on 41 off 17 as Australia won the semis with an over to spare.