Shaheen Afridi and Matthew Breetzke found themselves at the center of a heated confrontation during the third match of the ongoing tri-seriesj at the National Stadium in Karachi. The high-stakes encounter between Pakistan and South Africa saw tempers flare as the two players engaged in a fiery exchange, momentarily halting the game and drawing loud reactions from the crowd.
Both Afridi and Breetzke have been crucial for their respective teams in this decisive match, with New Zealand already securing a spot in the final. The tension was evident throughout the game, and it reached a boiling point in the 28th over when Afridi expressed his displeasure with Breetzke’s movement at the non-striker’s end.
The Pakistan pacer seemed frustrated with the South African batter taking a start too early, leading to an exchange of words between the two. However, the situation escalated on the very next ball. Breetzke flicked Afridi’s delivery to deep square leg and sprinted for a single. In the process, he unintentionally collided with Afridi while crossing the pitch, a move that further agitated the left-arm pacer.
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The two players immediately confronted each other, exchanging heated words as tensions flared. Sensing that things could spiral out of control, the umpires quickly intervened to separate the duo. South African skipper Temba Bavuma and Pakistan’s stand-in captain Mohammad Rizwan also stepped in to diffuse the situation.
It’s getting all heated out there! 🥵
Shaheen Afridi did not take kindly to Matthew Breetzke’s reaction, leading to an altercation in the middle! 🔥#TriNationSeriesOnFanCode pic.twitter.com/J2SutoEZQs
— FanCode (@FanCode) February 12, 2025
Pakistan’s Khushdil Shah played peacemaker, physically pulling Breetzke away to prevent the altercation from escalating further. Despite the dramatic clash, Afridi remained focused on his bowling. In his first seven overs, he claimed one wicket while conceding 34 runs, looking to keep South Africa’s total in check.
Meanwhile, Breetzke, who announced his arrival on the international stage with a stunning 150 on debut, continued his sublime form. He reached yet another half-century and appeared well on course for another big score.
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Alongside him, Bavuma provided a solid start with a composed 52 before departing. With Heinrich Klaasen now at the crease, South Africa will be hoping to push past the 300-run mark. The incident between Afridi and Breetzke may have added to the drama, but both teams remain focused on securing a crucial win and sealing a place in the final.
