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His Amazing Debut:
OK, technically it was his second ODI but still..... The year is 1996. Pakistan, the most unpredictable side in the cricket world, were facing new world champions Sri Lanka in a 4 nation tournament in NAIROBI, KENYA around September/October time. As the side were already depleted due to injury and illness of the established players, a 16 year old S. Afridi was given SOS from the board back home when he was in the West Indies on tour with the U19 squad. Little was known about this Pathan from the Khyber Pass area but he was supposed to be a fastish leg spinner. In the match against Sri Lanka, Pakistan needed to increase their Net Run Rate in order to remain in the series. Surprisingly, Afridi was sent in at number 3 to bat instead of at number 10. This decision made him a phenomenon in the matter of one innings and he went straight into the record books. He hit a fabulous century in only 37 balls with the help of 11 sixes, 5 coming off the bowling of Sanath Jayasuriya. Afridi's heroics allowed Pakistan to enter into the finals and a new not to mention gorgeous star was born.
