People often say that modern movies, especially superhero ones, can feel repetitive and use the same storylines. In cricket, which can be like a kind of theater, the second ODI match between Afghanistan and Pakistan took this idea to an extreme level.
The tension between the two teams had almost turned into fights during their intense T20 match at last year’s Asia Cup. The way that match ended, with Naseem Shah leading a surprising comeback, seemed too much like something a scriptwriter might come up with.
With just one wicket left and 11 runs needed to win, Pakistan’s best player, Naseem Shah, hit two powerful shots against Fazalhaq Farooqi and amazingly won the game both times. His exciting move of taking off his gloves and helmet, and then running around the field in victory, was both thrilling and daring.
ESPNcricinfo portrayed Naseem Shah like a superhero from Pakhtunkhwa. It was almost like asking, “Is that a plane? Is it a bird? No, it’s the superhero from Pakhtunkhwa!” He showed incredible calmness in a very tense situation.
