"I came back early as it is a World Cup and the team needs me": Shaheen Shah Afridi

[MenInG]

Speaking in presser after win against Bangladesh

"We reached the semi-finals because of our fans' prayers. I sometimes feel in my heart that our top cricketers need to support us at our difficult times, and not just when we reach semi-finals or finals. The team needs support when we lose. We won because of the fans' prayers and their support"

"It is not easy to come back from such an injury"

"I can only give my 100 percent on the field, and I am trying. This injury needed time, I think I came (back) early as it is a World Cup and the team needs me."

"I am not bowling at 150 kph like Haris (Rauf)"

"Even before I bowled at 135-140 kph. (Earlier) I felt a pinch during run-up but now feeling much better.

"Staying in the room for two-three months with an injury affects your mind."

"I believed that I would come back and my efforts would pay dividends."

"The credit goes to the whole team. We played good cricket. The games we lost were decided on the last ball, but still we played good cricket," said Shaheen.

"We didn't get the results in our favour but a good team never falls after a loss.

"The captain plays a big role to lift the team and support us. We are backing each other and as a result we have won here."

 

[pakfan54588]

He is improving nicely hopefully he is at best against finn allin who smashed starc with ease

 

[hitthestump]

And it was the right call Shaheen.

Thank you for the selflessness in spite of the PCB botching your recovery completely.

If we win this WC you will cement your place as a fast bowling legend among the likes of Wasim, Waqar and Imran.

 

[pakfan54588]

On a side note he should be handle very carefully and shouldn't be rushed to test team

 

[Zaz]

If we had gone out yday the captain and coach wouldve rightly been lambasted for playing a half fit shaheen

In future they cant do that no matter how big a player is

 

[Concerned]

Get back to opening +140 - team needs that.

 

[omorst7]

and it was the right call shaheen.

Thank you for the selflessness in spite of the pcb botching your recovery completely.

If we win this wc you will cement your place as a fast bowling legend among the likes of wasim, waqar and imran.

too early to call to their level

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Good to see he prioritise International cricket.

 

[MenInG]

On a side note he should be handle very carefully and shouldn't be rushed to test team

Totally agree - should be wrapped in cotton wool for now

 

[BunnyRabbit]

No you used to bowl in the 140-148 range.

Umar Gul after coming back from injury in 2014 was saying the same thing that this (130-135)is my normal speed which used to be 140-145 in his case and Gul never recovered after that.

I sincerely hope this isn't the case with Shaheen and he becomes even better than before.

 

[Sherlock]

A more professional outfit would've told Shaheen to miss the WC and take care of his injury just like Bumrah and others that have missed the WC.

Instead we have incompetent people in charge that feel their job is on the line if Pakistan don't do well and they rarely, if at all, pay any heed to the health of the players.

Also he's not out of the woods either because that injury can linger on and cause other injuries too.

 

[Marooned]

No you used to bowl in the 140-148 range.

Umar Gul after coming back from injury in 2014 was saying the same thing that this (130-135)is my normal speed which used to be 140-145 in his case and Gul never recovered after that.

I sincerely hope this isn't the case with Shaheen and he becomes even better than before.

Lol exactly. He hovered around 150k in t20s. Bowled the 2nd fastest ball of last t20 WC and breached 150k almost every game.

He is saying this so that the TM isn't critcized for rushing him .Couple of years ago when Naseem's pace was down in NZ, he said the same thing. "Meri tou yehi pace hai..."

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Never say never! AlhumduLillah.<br><br>Keep us all in your prayers. &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; <a href="https://t.co/SDnNy6TjGT">pic.twitter.com/SDnNy6TjGT</a></p>— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) <a href="https://twitter.com/babarazam258/status/1589176902962774016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>