Top 5 memorable performances by Shahid Afridi

3. 6/38 in 10 overs and 24 runs off 16 balls (Pakistan vs Australia, Dubai, April 2009)

Arguably one of Shahid’s finest all-round displays, the victory over Australia saw the Pakistani side go 1-0 up in the five-match series. Using his stock delivery, the leg-break, along with a host of slower ones and the traditional ‘quicker one’, Afridi knocked over six Aussie batsmen without breaking a sweat.

He started the slide by having Brad Haddin caught by Younis Khan for 40, then knocked over Shane Watson‘s stumps with a leg-break for an identical score. Afridi’s mix of slower and faster deliveries took out Andrew Symonds and Callum Ferguson before he castled Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark to complete his six-wicket haul.

He then hammered five fours in 15 balls before being dismissed by Ben Hilfenhaus; however, his cameo had already laid the platform for Pakistan’s eventual win.