'I was trying to smell it'- Shahid Afridi baffles cricket world with unusual explanation for ball tampering incident

Shahid Afridi (Image source: Twitter)

Former Pakistan cricketer and captain, Shahid Afridi is widely known for his flamboyant and unpredictable playing style. But, one of the moments that he is most remembered for is his bizarre reasoning for ball-tampering during an ODI match against Australia.

In 2010, during the final match of a five-match series against Australia, Afridi was caught on camera biting the cricket ball. The television umpire immediately alerted the on-field umpires, and upon inspection, they replaced the ball. When questioned about the incident, Afridi explained that he was trying to smell the ball.

Here's Shahid Afridi tampering with the ball in 2010: 

His explanation stunned everyone, and many were left bemused and embarrassed by the situation. Afridi later pleaded guilty to the match referee for violating the Apex Cricket Council Code of Conduct for changing the condition of the ball. As a result, he was banned for two T20Is.

Ball-tampering is an illegal act in cricket, and many players have used various means over the years to gain an advantage. However, Afridi's bizarre reasoning for ball-tampering has left a lasting impression on cricket fans, who still talk about it even after more than a decade.

The incident showcases Afridi's impulsive and unpredictable nature, and his reasoning has been used in various jokes and memes over the years. Despite the controversy, Afridi remains a beloved figure among Pakistani cricket fans, and his aggressive style of play has endeared him to millions of fans all over the world.

In conclusion, Shahid Afridi's bizarre reasoning for ball-tampering will forever remain one of the most memorable moments in the history of cricket.

Afridi is currently working as Head of the Selection Committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board. The swashbuckling all-rounder played 398 ODI matches for Pakistan wherein he made 8064 runs at a strike rate of 117. He also played 99 T20I matches for the Men in Green where he scored 1416 runs with a strike rate of 176.1