"Forget Bumrah, I will acknowledge Shaheen if he manages to bowl better than Siraj": Harbhajan Singh

[The Bald Eagle]

Do you agree with Bhaji's gaffe here or is it the bitter truth?

=====
Recently in an interview, Harbhajan Singh passed some bizarre comments regarding Shaheen Shah Afridi:

“Jasprit Bumrah anyday. He has no competition. I think Siraj is a better bowler than Afridi. With no offence to anyone, Siraj has more pace and wicket-taking ability than the Pakistani fast bowler,”

"Forget Bumrah, I will acknowledge Shaheen if he manages to bowl better than Siraj"

“I am not saying this just to make someone feel ordinary, but this is my point of view, and I have a habit of keeping across my point even if people don’t like it,”

 

[FearlessRoar]

Harbhajan Singh's behavior seems to have changed as he's getting older.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Shaheen has regressed, he only has himself to blame.

Siraj is ordinary, nothing special though.

 

[emranabbas]

If he's talking about ODI then he's 100% right
We all seen how bumrah was the flavor worldcup. Took his team to the finals

we pakistanis over hype our bowlers to the moon and back

When we had waqar waseem asif then we were in competition but we've not had bowlers since who have replaced them

 

[Master Blaster]

Even a regressed SSA is far better bowler than Siraj in T20.

Bhaji statement fail...

 

[mominsaigol]

Harbajan is right. Siraj is improving day by day, while SSA has regressed

 

[castortroy]

Afridi, with the considerable lost in pace, has regressed massively

 

[Itachi]

Siraj somewhat is improving. I can still see the hunger in his eyes.

Afridi seems to get stagnant (may be regressed). When I see him bowling, it feels as if he is very exhausted and out of energy.

I disagree with bhajji but Siraj may surpass Afridi if it continues in my opinion.

 

[NishanKonar]

Siraj somewhat is improving. I can still see the hunger in his eyes.

Afridi seems to get stagnant (may be regressed). When I see him bowling, it feels as if he is very exhausted and out of energy.

I disagree with bhajji but Siraj may surpass Afridi if it continues in my opinion.

In test & ODI Siraj is comfortably better than Shaheen

In T20 Shaheen is slightly ahead

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Siraj has more big game bowling returns that Afridi at this stage.

He is an underrated bowler.

 

[IndoorCricket]

Siraj is getting good. But Shaheen has regressed.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Siraj has achieved some good things. But he is not a smart guy like Bumrah. Far from it. Either bowls really well. Really badly.

 

[RKhan_Cricket]

Well, it's a known fact that Harbhajan usually takes digs at Pakistani players. He most of the time denies it, but it is what it is. But here, he is right.
Siraj is working hard because there is so much competition, and Shaheen in his head is already a superstar whom no one can touch. That's why he is not trying to improve.

 

[deltexas]

In test & ODI Siraj is comfortably better than Shaheen

In T20 Shaheen is slightly ahead

This is the fact..

Test and odi- siraj over Shaheen any day. His line and length, fitness and accuracy is very good

T20- Shaheen over siraj any day. Siraj should be nowhere near the T20 international ind team

 

[Seam Specialist]

Siraj in this IPL:

Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy	Strike Rate
7	5	53.40	10.34	31.20

Siraj has improved phonomenly in ODIs and that's been significantly boosted due to his partners Shami and Bumrah where they all hunt in packs in ODIs. But he is the weakest among them and is really vulnerable against aggressive batsman.

Even what we are terming as a regressed Shaheen, Shaheen clears Siraj in T20s. It is frankly laughable to suggest Siraj is even a T20 bowler with his stats and is a complete mismatch. Siraj is ahead in ODIs for now as a 3rd seamer in Indias line up but once he is actually elevated to their opening and 1st seamer option, batsman are going to realise how nothing of bowler he is, he is going to get the Hasan Ali treatment.

 

[Savak]

Harbhajan like many of the present and past Indian players and fans have been basking in BCCIs, India's and IPLs riches and hence why he too has developed the confidence to indulge in Virender Sehwag level trolling of Pakistani players.

 

[IndoorCricket]

Siraj in this IPL:

Matches	Wickets	Average	Economy	Strike Rate
7	5	53.40	10.34	31.20

Siraj has improved phonomenly in ODIs and that's been significantly boosted due to his partners Shami and Bumrah where they all hunt in packs in ODIs. But he is the weakest among them and is really vulnerable against aggressive batsman.

Even what we are terming as a regressed Shaheen, Shaheen clears Siraj in T20s. It is frankly laughable to suggest Siraj is even a T20 bowler with his stats and is a complete mismatch. Siraj is ahead in ODIs for now as a 3rd seamer in Indias line up but once he is actually elevated to their opening and 1st seamer option, batsman are going to realise how nothing of bowler he is, he is going to get the Hasan Ali treatment.

Agree Siraj is not a T20 bowler. He seems to be improving in this format also..

 

[NishanKonar]

This is the fact..

Test and odi- siraj over Shaheen any day. His line and length, fitness and accuracy is very good

T20- Shaheen over siraj any day. Siraj should be nowhere near the T20 international ind team

Harshit Rana, Mohsin Khan & Kuldeep Sen for T20 WC along with Bumrah

No place for Siraj ideally

 

[NishanKonar]

Biggest problem with Shaheen is he is one trick pony. He has that big inswinging yorker but nothing else to offer

Good batters know this. They just play out the first 2-3 overs with the new ball and after that when the ball stops swinging, Shaheen becomes very pedestrian

 

[Major]

as if the world is dieing for the acknowledgement of a person who is not even part of the top pundits and analyst of cricket.

 

[Local.Dada]

In T20 Shaheen is much better than Siraj.

In odis and tests, Siraj is way better. Numbers don’t matter here, Siraj has won tests in SA, Eng, Aus and at home with his bowling, won man of the match in Asia cup final. Leagues ahead of Shaheen in that format.

Shaheen is a good T20 bowler but that’s the least respected of the 3 formats. I mean you can’t say David Willey is a better overall bowler than Jimmy Anderson based on who is better in T20. Obviously not saying the gulf is that huge here but yes Bhajji is correct. Problem is because of lack of education etc he might come across a little crude saying it.

 

[jnaveen1980]

In T20 Shaheen is much better than Siraj.

In odis and tests, Siraj is way better. Numbers don’t matter here, Siraj has won tests in SA, Eng, Aus and at home with his bowling, won man of the match in Asia cup final. Leagues ahead of Shaheen in that format.

Shaheen is a good T20 bowler but that’s the least respected of the 3 formats. I mean you can’t say David Willey is a better overall bowler than Jimmy Anderson based on who is better in T20. Obviously not saying the gulf is that huge here but yes Bhajji is correct. Problem is because of lack of education etc he might come across a little crude saying it.

Most of the Pak bowlers are 4 over specialists. It suits them. Show full aggression for 4 overs split by 2 spells.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Most of the Pak bowlers are 4 over specialists. It suits them. Show full aggression for 4 overs split by 2 spells.

Whatever Bhajji said is a gaffe but unfortunately SSA's continuous regression may just vindicate him one day.

 

[Kroll]

Sad what happened to SSA.

 

[pakistani pride]

Its the hard truth. Forget Bumrah he is miles ahead. SSA needs to get his act together asap.

 

[Savak]

Not long before Shaheen's lack of impact even in the T20 team will result him in being dropped from the team.

 

[mazkhan]

The real reason is that shaheen is an overhyped age fudger.

He never was an intelligent bowler or had the skills or tactical nous with the ball , yes he has the physical attributes but due to blatant age fudging afghani style knocking off years the pace has gone to trundler level speed that's what happens when you start getting old, so to cover this up they have created this not fully recovered from injury drama, pcb medical negligence overbowled and captaincy drama.

Basically he's washed up and is only going to deteriorate not get better.

21 yrs old falcon parvaz

 

[jnaveen1980]

Shaheen reminds me of Irfan pathan. Irfan was bowling at good speeds when he was new. But he was made to bowl 40 overs, 50 overs in a test innings at the age of 19. They also tried to turn him intoall rounder. His action got all screwed up. There was a significant drop in pace. Shaheen has no worry about becoming a batsman. But his pace has dropped. Action is very ungainly. It is almost like ball is refusing to come out of his hand smoothly. If i have to compare one left arm bowler it will be Boult. He still looks the same i saw 5 or 6 years back. If anything better. Shaheen still relies a lot on magic deliveries which he may bowl in right conditions. But that only makes you predictable.

 

[Champ_Pal]

There is a lot of truth about what Bhajji is saying about Shaheen. Since the injury, Shaheen lost his pace and swing that made him deadly.

Shaheen can still be good some days, but I feel there are better bowlers in Pakistan than him right now. At least from what I saw in PSL. He should not be an automatic selection in the squad.

 

[JaDed]

Harbhajan like many of the present and past Indian players and fans have been basking in BCCIs, India's and IPLs riches and hence why he too has developed the confidence to indulge in Virender Sehwag level trolling of Pakistani players.

Sachin Ganguly Dravid Zaheer Kumble Yuvi all gave basked in riches as well no one speaks like this.

This is a very Paindo behaviour, probably Punjabis (on both sides) Haryanvis indulge in this

 

[Cover Drive Six]

I agree with Bajji. Siraj is a different bowler in international matches. I don't care about IPL. He is an all-format bowler.

 

[Statpadder Inc]

The real reason is that shaheen is an overhyped age fudger.

He never was an intelligent bowler or had the skills or tactical nous with the ball , yes he has the physical attributes but due to blatant age fudging afghani style knocking off years the pace has gone to trundler level speed that's what happens when you start getting old , so to cover this up they have created this not fully recovered from injury drama, pcb medical negligence overbowled and captaincy drama.

Basically he's washed up and is only going to deteriorate not get better ,

21 yrs old falcon parvaz

Players from Kpk seem to be the most blatant age fudgers

 

[mominsaigol]

Harbajan should say forget bumrah, I will acknowledge Shaheen when Shaheen manages to bowl better then Shaheen.

 

[Bewal Express]

SSA has lost it since the injury. I think his brain is scrambled and he looks lost.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The real reason is that shaheen is an overhyped age fudger.

He never was an intelligent bowler or had the skills or tactical nous with the ball , yes he has the physical attributes but due to blatant age fudging afghani style knocking off years the pace has gone to trundler level speed that's what happens when you start getting old, so to cover this up they have created this not fully recovered from injury drama, pcb medical negligence overbowled and captaincy drama.

Basically he's washed up and is only going to deteriorate not get better.

21 yrs old falcon parvaz

What do you think his official age is?

 

[Cricket Warrior]

SSA has lost it since the injury. I think his brain is scrambled and he looks lost.

he is not a good death bowler.. mostly get smashed in last 5 overs

 

[Croma]

Siraj is averaging 53.8 in IPL 2024, with economy of 10.34.
But the Impact Player rule and skewed figures of most bowlers in the IPL.

Surely Shaheen's doing better.

I think Bhajji only remembers their recent ODI performance. especially with World Cup.

 

[daytrader]

He'll back track once Shaheen runs through the Indian top order come June 9th

 

[mazkhan]

What do you think his official age is?

I would say he's around 30-32 yrs old

His brother riaz 39 yrs old but we know he played u19 level and was built like a tank and was bowling 90mph at u19s so even he must have fudged his age back then to play u19s. So add a few yrs onto 39 .

There's no way the youngest sibling can have such an Age gap of 14 yrs + from his brother riaz afridi is not even the eldest amongst shaheens siblings.

You can see his pace has gone down obviously injury played his part but main thing is afridi bowling abilities never kicked on or developed so that tells me he isn't going to get any better and his peak is over he clearly looks like someone in decline.

If you remember injury age declined waqars pace but waqar was always had technical ability and nous with the ball even when he was overhill bowling 75-80 mph he still had great skill with the ball and even became a better bowler with the new ball In odi cricket because he had skill and talent.

Afridi never had that skill to begin with he bowls with the new ball and is a one trick pony that inswinger moment it stops swinging he's no threat and due to lack of skill and ability he is also useless with the old ball at the death hence his tendency to start getting smashed. And what's made it worse he's lost pace even In 4overs t20 he's bowling at 130-135 kph .

Look at m amir he's clearly past his best but he still has nous with the ball look how he varied his pace in the bowling , and bowled cutters and slower deliveries. Afridi never had that intelligence to begin with.

 

[topspin]

Players from Kpk seem to be the most blatant age fudgers

The uncomfortable truth that most Pakistan fans refuse to speak up about.

 

[mominsaigol]

I would say he's around 30-32 yrs old

His brother riaz 39 yrs old but we know he played u19 level and was built like a tank and was bowling 90mph at u19s so even he must have fudged his age back then to play u19s. So add a few yrs onto 39 .

There's no way the youngest sibling can have such an Age gap of 14 yrs + from his brother riaz afridi is not even the eldest amongst shaheens siblings.

You can see his pace has gone down obviously injury played his part but main thing is afridi bowling abilities never kicked on or developed so that tells me he isn't going to get any better and his peak is over he clearly looks like someone in decline.

If you remember injury age declined waqars pace but waqar was always had technical ability and nous with the ball even when he was overhill bowling 75-80 mph he still had great skill with the ball and even became a better bowler with the new ball In odi cricket because he had skill and talent.

Afridi never had that skill to begin with he bowls with the new ball and is a one trick pony that inswinger moment it stops swinging he's no threat and due to lack of skill and ability he is also useless with the old ball at the death hence his tendency to start getting smashed. And what's made it worse he's lost pace even In 4overs t20 he's bowling at 130-135 kph .

Look at m amir he's clearly past his best but he still has nous with the ball look how he varied his pace in the bowling , and bowled cutters and slower deliveries. Afridi never had that intelligence to begin with.

The whole him being early 20's was cap.

I saw his picture from when he was 17, dude looks like he just graduated masters or PhD . 17 year old kids with 5 o clock shadows lol.

 

[Energy]

Shaheen is being demoted from competing with Bumrah to now competing with Siraj. Just like how Umar Akmal got demoted competing to Kohli to competing with nalli nihari.

The regression is there for all to see. Shaheen is as much a culprit, as are Babar and Rizwan in terms of not progressing their game forward to match the best. And the fact they're showing their arrogance in celebrating statistics is now making a mockery of the system and fan sentiments.

 

[RyanRyan10]

The whole him being early 20's was cap.

I saw his picture from when he was 17, dude looks like he just graduated masters or PhD . 17 year old kids with 5 o clock shadows lol.

There is a thread on this site where it's mentioned that he considers Wasim Akram his childhood hero. Wasim played his last game when Shaheen was 2 years and 11 months old.

 

[Kroll]

The real reason is that shaheen is an overhyped age fudger.

He never was an intelligent bowler or had the skills or tactical nous with the ball , yes he has the physical attributes but due to blatant age fudging afghani style knocking off years the pace has gone to trundler level speed that's what happens when you start getting old, so to cover this up they have created this not fully recovered from injury drama, pcb medical negligence overbowled and captaincy drama.

Basically he's washed up and is only going to deteriorate not get better.

21 yrs old falcon parvaz

He should still be at peak, he’s probably still younger than when Wahab was launching rockets.

I think its injuries and perhaps mental issues more than anything.

 

[mominsaigol]

There is a thread on this site where it's mentioned that he considers Wasim Akram his childhood hero. Wasim played his last game when Shaheen was 2 years and 11 months old.

Must be a smart baby to be able to visualise cricket at 2 years of age

 

[Ab Fan]

Shaheen and Siraj both are hit and miss bowlers. But Shaheen did had a better and more entertaining start to his career with a lot of promise. Siraj is capable of running through attacks too like he did in Gabba or Lords( both match winning second innings performance) but he also has knock of producing very ordinary spells.

As of today, I will pick Shaheen over Siraj. But I am not very opportunistic of Pakistani bowlers longevity so Siraj has a chance to go past him.

 

[mominsaigol]

Shaheen and Siraj both are hit and miss bowlers. But Shaheen did had a better and more entertaining start to his career with a lot of promise. Siraj is capable of running through attacks too like he did in Gabba or Lords( both match winning second innings performance) but he also has knock of producing very ordinary spells.

As of today, I will pick Shaheen over Siraj. But I am not very opportunistic of Pakistani bowlers longevity so Siraj has a chance to go past him.

You will pick shaheen over siraj as of today? Huh? Based of what?

 

[Kaptan]

From being compared to the GOAT Bumrah to being dropped from the home Test against Bangladesh, I don't think any bowler has declined as rapidly as Afridi.

 

[zarak]

Shaheen and Siraj both are hit and miss bowlers. But Shaheen did had a better and more entertaining start to his career with a lot of promise. Siraj is capable of running through attacks too like he did in Gabba or Lords( both match winning second innings performance) but he also has knock of producing very ordinary spells.

As of today, I will pick Shaheen over Siraj. But I am not very opportunistic of Pakistani bowlers longevity so Siraj has a chance to go past him.

Siraj has made significant contributions in test wins in Aus. That is more than Shaheens entire test career.

 

[Varun]

From being compared to the GOAT Bumrah to being dropped from the home Test against Bangladesh, I don't think any bowler has declined as rapidly as Afridi.

Most Pakistani bowlers don't shine beyond 10-20 tests anyway. It was always coming.

Not since Waqar Younis (debut 1989) have Pakistan produced a fast bowler who has played 50 tests and taken 200 wickets. Nothing to do with them being a non big 3 nation either. Refer Kemar Roach, Tim Southee etc.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Most Pakistani bowlers don't shine beyond 10-20 tests anyway. It was always coming.

Not since Waqar Younis (debut 1989) have Pakistan produced a fast bowler who has played 50 tests and taken 200 wickets. Nothing to do with them being a non big 3 nation either. Refer Kemar Roach, Tim Southee etc.

Shoaib was decent 175 odd wickets avg 24ish

 

[Varun]

Shoaib was decent 175 odd wickets avg 24ish

Yep. But for a country which claims such a rich fast bowling legacy (mainly only W and W, but I'll let it slide), it's astounding how decades have flown without the 50 test/200 wicket mark has been broken.

They all come and go - Mohammad Sami - Umar Gul - Mohammad Amir - Junaid Khan - now Shaheen Afridi. And countless others in between.

 

[Local.Dada]

Shoaib was decent 175 odd wickets avg 24ish

Shoaib once he started getting injured and old could have easily become a 140 range pacer with skills and got a lot more
Wickets. he didn’t have the temperament.

 

[Human786]

trolling very slightly but fact is Bumrah is the best in business & Shaheen at his knee level

 

[Local.Dada]

Arshdeep in the last 2-3 yrs has had the same or better returns as Shaheen, bowled the difficult overs and also probably bowled at the same average pace.

 

[Hitman]

Shoaib was decent 175 odd wickets avg 24ish

25.69 to be precise. But that's not something that matters. Here are his numbers against the 2 best batting line ups of his time, Australia and India.


Australia -

Innings - 17; Wickets - 31; Ave - 35.64; SR - 56.4


India -

Innings - 16; Wickets - 28; Ave - 34.50; SR - 61.9

 

[Hitman]

25.69 to be precise. But that's not something that matters. Here are his numbers against the 2 best batting line ups of his time, Australia and India.


Australia -

Innings - 17; Wickets - 31; Ave - 35.64; SR - 56.4


India -

Innings - 16; Wickets - 28; Ave - 34.50; SR - 61.9

But even more than that, his career is defined when he cried like a little child to his captain in the 2003 WC match against India after taken to the cleaners by Tendulkar saying, "Mere se bowling nahi ho rahi hain".

 

[Savak]

Shaheen's stock has fallen drastically. Only a matter of time when he has no takers in the T20 circuit and he will have to toil in the domestic circuit to desperately find a spot in the national team again.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Yep. But for a country which claims such a rich fast bowling legacy (mainly only W and W, but I'll let it slide), it's astounding how decades have flown without the 50 test/200 wicket mark has been broken.

They all come and go - Mohammad Sami - Umar Gul - Mohammad Amir - Junaid Khan - now Shaheen Afridi. And countless others in between.

Yes no doubt

25.69 to be precise. But that's not something that matters. Here are his numbers against the 2 best batting line ups of his time, Australia and India.


Australia -

Innings - 17; Wickets - 31; Ave - 35.64; SR - 56.4


India -

Innings - 16; Wickets - 28; Ave - 34.50; SR - 61.9

Not the worst considering Australia were the ATG side.

Also Indian line up was insane and he has won a few Tests against India for us.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Sardarji made a casual comment and it worked few months later. Must be telling his friends vekheya? Mae keha si k nahi?