Shahid Afridi plays for Multan Sultans in PSL 2020 (Image Courtesy: Twitter)
Former Pakistani cricketer, Shahid Afridi, wore an unusually designed helmet, which had no top grille, during a PSL playoff match between Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings.
Afridi, who had earlier tested positive for COVID-19, made his return to competitive cricket during the match, on Saturday.
The former Pakistani all-rounder scored only 12 runs during the match; however, the new helmet which he donned made him a talking point. The grill of the helmet is important for the protection of the player, removing it would mean "destroying the point of wearing modern helmets".
Experts called the helmet dangerous, Tanzil Khawaja of Sky Sports Cricket voiced concern for Afridi and wrote on Twitter "Is it me or is Afridi's helmet grille really dangerous? Seems to be very open around the eyes and mouth area,"
Saj Sadiq, editor of PakPassion.net also took to Twitter and wrote "He's always been prepared to innovate throughout his career. Here's Shahid Afridi with a new-look batting helmet earlier today".
Social media was quick to react to Afridi's decision of wearing a "useless" helmet.
Over the years, designs of the cricket helmet have been under strict supervision, especially since the death of Australian cricketer, Phil Hughes. Afridi's helmet is surely going to raise some questions for the designers and supervision teams.