Published on: Oct 6, 2023 7:02 am IST|Updated on: Oct 6, 2023 7:55 am IST
For the last couple of years, Shaheen Afridi has been the leader of Pakistan’s bowling attack. The 23-year-old often gets wickets with the new ball and also has a knack for picking up wickets in the very first over.
Shaheen Afridi is one of the most lethal left-arm pacers on the planet currently. In just 44 ODI matches in his career, Afridi has bagged 86 wickets at a strike rate of 25.69. As Pakistan prepare for the ODI World Cup 2023, their performance will largely be dependent on how Shaheen performs. If Shaheen fails to deliver, it is safe to say that Pakistan won’t be qualifying for the knockouts.
Shaheen Afridi always gets some swing with the new ball he tries to make the batter play as many deliveries as possible. Hence, he becomes lethal in conditions favouring the bowlers. Furthermore, he has a menacing yorker to trouble the batters.
While Afridi is yet to learn the art of death bowling, he has a good slower ball as well to outfox the batters. The left-arm pacer always rises to the occasion whenever his team needs him. Who can forget his opening spell against India in the T20 World Cup 2021, where is single-handedly blew away India’s mighty top-order to set up a memorable victory for Pakistan?
However, the lanky pacer will be playing in India for the very first time in his career and might get to face a few challenges. Nevertheless, Shaheen Afridi has plenty of quality and he is likely to overcome whatever challenge he faces and deliver for his team.
The stage is set for the pacer in the ODI World Cup 2023 and the whole of Pakistan is rooting behind him. However, if he will be able to carry such a massive burden or crumble in between, only time will tell.
Tags: Shaheen Afridi