Pallekele, February 25 Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi praised England captain Harry Brook for playing "the best innings of his life" after the big-hitter's sensational century took his team into the T20 World Cup semifinals here.
Shaheen had dismissed Brook with a yorker a ball after the England skipper had smashed a 50-ball century in the Super-8 fixture here on Tuesday.
"I think this will be his best innings of his life. He should be credited for playing a proper cricketing shot. The wicket was not easy," said Shaheen, whose four for 30 in four overs went in vain as Pakistan failed to defend 164, resulting in an England win by two wickets.
During the match, Shaheen walked up to Brook and shook his hand in a gesture of appreciation for his special effort.
"He deserved it; it was a world-class innings. Harry and I had a very good friendship when we played together in PSL. He played with us for Lahore Qalandars," said the pacer when asked why he approached Brook for a handshake.
Pakistan's chances of making the semifinals now hang by a thread. But Shaheen, who made a comeback on Tuesday after being dropped for the last two games, remains hopeful.
"These things happen in cricket. But we are still in the tournament, anything can happen. We are thinking that we get this one opportunity – firstly, we should win this match (against Sri Lanka).
"Hopefully, New Zealand will lose their match. Yes, you said I was dropped, but my focus is to work on my bowling, how to come back, and how to maintain my normal things, so that I can give good results in the match," he added.
