New Delhi:
The newly conceptualized T10 League started off with a bang as former Pakistani all rounder Shahid Afridi picked up a hat-trick in his first three deliveries against Maratha Arabians.
Playing for Pakhtoons, the Pakistani all-rounder picked up three wickets which helped his team register a 25-run win. The leg spinner accounted for Rilee Rossouw, Dwayne Bravo and Sehwag.
The tournament that is taking place in Sharjah is an instant hit, and the ground witnessed full attendance on first day of the tournament. A visibly happy Afridi said, "I really enjoyed it, it is totally different."
For the Maratha's, Alex Hales slammed a fine half-century, in his first outing since the Bristol incident. Hales scored 57 runs, that had a six off Shahid Afridi too.
"I really loved it, I think it is a great format, full of excitement," Hales said. "It is a shame we didn't get over the line today, we just lost wickets at crucial times, and that was probably the difference. You obviously have half the time of T20, and you just have to keep changing gears all the way through your innings."
"We have to keep looking to play straight on the wicket," Hales said. "The main threat is lbw and bowled, so we have to keep playing nice and straight.
