AUS vs PAK: Did Shaheen Afridi take two wickets after dislocating finger while Babar Azam does rescue act?

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In an extraordinary turn of events during the 3rd ODI between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium in Perth, Shaheen Shah Afridi took two wickets after reportedly dislocating his finger while attempting to field a throw.

The injury occurred in the 25th over, when Afridi misjudged a ball on the bounce, causing it to graze his left thumb. Despite the visible pain and the physio's intervention, Afridi soldiered on, continuing to bowl through discomfort, which eventually led to him picking up two wickets and playing a crucial role in Australia's collapse.

While myKhel can't ascertain if the pacer actually dislocated his finger during the incident but Pak bowling great Wasim Akram remarked, while commenting for the official broadcasters, that Shaheen Afridi did dislocate his finger. However, following some good efforts by the medical staff, who was seen applying magic spray on the injury during on-field treatment.

Interestingly, before physio attended Afridi, Babar Azam was seen treating the pacer, putting the dislocated finger back to its place, as spotted by many of the viewers while Akram remarked on air that Azam may have done his 'magic'!

Shaheen Afridi's resilience was evident when he returned to bowl after a brief pause. Pakistan's most prominent pacer rolled his fingers over the ball, bowling with precision and picking up two critical wickets. The first was Sean Abbott, who mistimed a shot and was caught at mid-on by Haris Rauf for 30.

The second was Lance Morris, who was bowled out for a duck, as Afridi's full, seaming delivery took out his off stump. These two wickets came just seven overs after Afridi's injury and bundled out the Aussies for 140. Afridi also retained the best bowling among his teammates at 3/32.

Australia's batting faltered under pressure on the day once again as the Pakistani bowlers relentlessly kept the pressure on. Naseem Shah had earlier picked up two wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Josh Inglis, and Mohammad Hasnain's accuracy continued to trouble the Australian batters.

Haris Rauf also impressed, taking 2/24 as he maintained a disciplined line and length. Pakistan's bowling attack was a model of control and aggression, which led to Australia being bowled out for just 140 runs in 31.5 overs.

The Australian innings, which started off briskly at 18/0, quickly deteriorated as wickets fell at regular intervals. The stand-out performances came from Abbott and Spencer Johnson, who made 30 and 12 respectively. The team was unable to recover after a string of dismissals, including the sudden injury to Cooper Connolly, who had to walk off due to a hand injury.

Pakistan's bowlers kept Australia on the back foot throughout, with Shaheen Afridi's determination to continue bowling through pain adding an extra layer of respect to his performance.