Abbas Afridi is a hidden power-hitting gem – PCB should develop and invest in him to make him a reliable finisher

[FearlessRoar]

Abbas Afridi is showing great potential as a power hitter in white-ball cricket. Even though he’s primarily a bowler, his batting skills can really be useful for Pakistan. He has a natural ability to hit the ball with full control, and he’s also good at rotating the strike, which makes him a great asset for the middle order. Pakistan could use him regularly at positions 5 or 6 in ODIs and T20Is.

In the President’s One-Day Cup 2024, he scored a stunning maiden List A century off just 54 balls, playing a key role in a match where SNGPL chased down 351 against Eshaal Associates, ultimately tying the game at 204/6. His List A strike rate stands at 103.38, and in T20s, it’s even higher at 130.06. If given consistent opportunities, he could prove to be a valuable finisher for Pakistan.

 

[hur rizvi]

A proactive captain should promote him in ODIs and ask him to take his time before launching

There is natural flow and effortlessness in his batting

 

[hur rizvi]

Also his bowling seems to have improved a bit too

 

[sweep_shot]

Saw his hitting capabilities before. He is a good hitter.

He can become someone like Abdul Razzaq.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

He is a good hitter, need to do some decent net sessions and could be turned into a Shaun Pollock type batter.

 

[gazza619]

He is a good hitter, need to do some decent net sessions and could be turned into a Shaun Pollock type batter.

Not sure if has the patience of Pollock though

 

[shariqnoor]

He's an Umar Gul level of batter/hitter. Nothing more, nothing less. No need to hype him.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

He's an Umar Gul level of batter/hitter. Nothing more, nothing less. No need to hype him.

Umar Gul was a slogger but he can play proper cricketing shots on merit. If management grooms him so he could become a very handy batter down the order.

 

[hafizexpress]

He's an Umar Gul level of batter/hitter. Nothing more, nothing less. No need to hype him.

Umar Gul just had that slog over midwicket. Abbas Afridi actually has some range around the face of the wicket which is unusual for a Pakistani tailender

 

[hafizexpress]

PCB is clueless, otherwise this is a good idea. I don't think he's a great bowler, but if someone like him can develop his batting, his decent bowling more than makes the team as an all-rounder. Although I still think Aamer Jamal should be given more chances, but these two should definitely be groomed as that AbdulRazzaq type no 8.

I don't know why Pakistan has desperately tried to make Shaheen that no. 8 but he's a no. 10 at best. In a team with Abbas and Naseem for example, Shaheen doesn't deserve to bat ahead of them. Waiting for Wasim Jr to return too

 

[BouncerGuy]

He is a slogger but he is much better than many power hitters if he works on his batting a bit. Bowling well already so he just need to put some yards for his batting. Definitely he can be a gem of a player

 

[sweep_shot]

I personally think he can turn into a proper bowling all-rounder. Someone like James Franklin (who started as a frontline bowler but later on became a bowling all-rounder).

 

[mominsaigol]

He is a good hitter, need to do some decent net sessions and could be turned into a Shaun Pollock type batter.

He's a good player but he ain't no shaun pollock nor will become shaun pollock