Is Shaheen Shah Afridi ready for international cricket?

[Abdullah719]

He's been the standout bowler for Pakistan in the Under-19 World Cup and looks to have all the tools to succeed at the highest level.

He was really good against South Africa and dismissed the openers and before that, took a six-fer against Ireland.

In his first spell against India in the ongoing final, he troubled the batsmen and was the only one who looked likely to pick up a wicket in the early stages with a catch going down and a couple of inside-edges which just missed the stumps.

Mushtaq Ahmed has praised him, singling out his game awareness and intelligence.

Took 8/39 on his FC debut for KRL.

Yeah he's just 17 but who cares

So is he ready?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

He's not but I wouldn't mind him on the bench.

 

[Amirforpresident]

Yes, but only for LOI's at the moment

 

[babajee]

He will develop under Azhar and can also learn a fair bit from Amir.

Get him in the squad

 

[ManFan]

No need to let him regress in domestic. Pick him for the T20's against WI and than take him for ENG. Wouldn't mind either if he made his Test debut on a green May top against newbies IRE.

 

[Bewal Express]

Yes, little to lose even if he struggles a little.

 

[kingusama92]

He's good enough for a spot in the squad, but the final XI might be a different story.

Mohammad Amir
Hasan Ali
Junaid Khan
Usman Shinwari

These guys are likely ahead of him for now.

 

[hitthestump]

You guys are crazy, this isn't the 90's. At international level today he will get smacked to kingdom come. He needs time to learn the game, what's the harm in waiting 2 or 3 years for a 17 year old?

 

[kingusama92]

You guys are crazy, this isn't the 90's. At international level today he will get smacked to kingdom come. He needs time to learn the game, what's the harm in waiting 2 or 3 years for a 17 year old?

Amir joined at 17. Cummins at 18.

It depends on the bowler at the end of the day. Let's see how he does in the PSL because that will be the first pressure situation he's dropped into.

 

[PakSarZameen]

Should play the Ireland and Zimbabwe tests.

Ease him into the team and make him ready for the South Africa tour.

 

[indipper]

Again, seems ordinary to me. I don't know what fascinates you guys so much, maybe bit of pace.

 

[indipper]

Amir joined at 17. Cummins at 18.

It depends on the bowler at the end of the day. Let's see how he does in the PSL because that will be the first pressure situation he's dropped into.

True, Shahdab is playing at 19. Age should not be a factor. My concern would be with quality. He doesn't seem Amir class.

 

[nighthawk23]

Needs more seasoning. Still bowls the 1-2 balls an over which are either a length ball or gives the batsman length. Will be demolished at the senior level at this time.

 

[aloo paratha]

Didn't bowl full enough today, hence the high economy. He better fix that quick or he'll turn into another Amir.

 

[yasir]

Our national team is very average, too many 130s bowler who are also weak on skills, not to mention short in height. Afridi and Musa can add lot of value, that too right away. They both are 140k...Musa is enforcer and Afridi has height, lot better than Raees and Junaid.

Pakistan has not debut 140k bowler since 2010( Wahab was last one). Musa is in that brack and Afridi is not far way. Pakistan needs power in their bowling and different variety. Current lot does not even look like a bowler.

These guys can hit a few as well. I am sick of 130k trundlers, that has killed us.

 

[Syed1]

I wish cricket squads were bigger like soccer and 2 or 3 youngsters could be sent as under-study or apprentices. These kids would learn alot just by being around the squad and playing with them in the nets and sharing the dressing room.


I don't think Shaheen or Musa are going to develop the requisite skills if they keep getting green mambas in domestics.

 

[yasir]

I wish cricket squads were bigger like soccer and 2 or 3 youngsters could be sent as under-study or apprentices. These kids would learn alot just by being around the squad and playing with them in the nets and sharing the dressing room.



I don't think Shaheen or Musa are going to develop the requisite skills if they keep getting green mambas in domestics.

Our domestic discourages speed. How else you can have 40 years old bowling at 125, keep topping the charts. Absolutely useless bowlers have below 20 averages.

Flip side is, as soon as we see 140 clicks, we cannot play them even on road.

It’s better to play on cement then these wickets.

 

[moghul]

Yes, he is .

 

[MMHS]

No, but he won't be ready in a decade through QeA style - get him (all 3) under Arthur next week and carry on tours. He stopped growing from 16 years of age (don't curse me - as per the Aussie commi, watching him 2 years back for U16 tour), so I believe it's the right time to promote him. He is officially already older than Aquib, Waquar, Ata at debut - and they debuted when the pace resource were far richer.

 

[Crescent]

What was his pace today?

 

[Fahdi]

Not exactly but he won't be anymore ready after going through this FC system. All the bowlers who have gone through the system have come out worse. Groom him with the national team.

 

[Hasan123]

He will learn more from Arthur and Azhar than playing QEA. Have him in the T20 squad and than take it from there.

 

[Extra_Cover]

He is ready for PSL. Let him play and succeed in not so pressure situations like PSL, before throwing him into Pakistan colors.

 

[asfandyar]

He needs 1-2 seasons of domestic List-A cricket, PSL and other limited overs cricket. Keep him away from FC cricket unless you can ensure batting friendly wickets. Those saying he should be thrown directly into the main leagues won't submit their resumes to the job recruitment managers without having them double-checked.

 

[mhraja]

No, he isn't ready but he won't gain much by playing domestic, so it's better to fast track him and keep him with squad so he can learn few things from the top coaches.

 

[anindo]

Reminded me a lot of Bruce Reid. He's quicker and has a smoother runup. A tall left-armer who can generate awkward bounce and bring the ball into the right hander is very rare and is an enormous asset. There is a strong case for him being drafted into the team.

 

[UN talkz]

He will learn more from Arthur and Azhar than playing QEA. Have him in the T20 squad and than take it from there.

For a moment I thought you were talking about Azhar Ali

 

[barah_admi]

Definitely not.

he has some talent but has to work on his pace and accuracy a bit. Plus, Pakistan have so many options in ODIs and t20s, he can't fit in anywhere. For tests, he'll need to get many more fc games under his belt.

Give him 2-3 years, there really isn't a rush.

 

[MMHS]

What was his pace today?

More than enough for a 6’6” guy with skills & intelligence. At his height, if he goes for more pace, might not last long. Average of 134km, with effort ball adding 10-12 kms is more than enough. I have seen Md. Talha teaching 146K with my own eyes - half-volley on pads, with a 7-2 field ..... that too against someone Mahela Jaya....

 

[MMHS]

Definitely not.

he has some talent but has to work on his pace and accuracy a bit. Plus, Pakistan have so many options in ODIs and t20s, he can't fit in anywhere. For tests, he'll need to get many more fc games under his belt.

Give him 2-3 years, there really isn't a rush.

Bro, who are those so many options with new ball, apart from Amir?

 

[MMHS]

He needs 1-2 seasons of domestic List-A cricket, PSL and other limited overs cricket. Keep him away from FC cricket unless you can ensure batting friendly wickets. Those saying he should be thrown directly into the main leagues won't submit their resumes to the job recruitment managers without having them double-checked.

Without FC cricket, how can he learn the art of getting a batsman out, when batsman is not swinging around for a run rate of 10? I don’t think anyone is telling here to play him at Leeds in 5 months time; but chances are high that unless he (the other pacer also) is taken care of immediately; Basit Alis will get their hand on him.

I tell you a story (I read it somewhere, may be a satire) - a group of Japanese investors went to visit Bihar and looking at it's prospects, one of them said something like in 10 years time they can convert Bihar like Kobe or Yokohama ... Lalu replied - hand over Japan to me, I'll make it Bihar in 5 years .......


Be very careful, about what you are asking for.

 

[Shafi]

Musa is better because of wicket talking ability. We have already Amir to dry up runs.

 

[The All Rounder]

Actually he could be tried in T20 cricket. I remember Poms introducing Stuart Broad in T20's when he was barely 18-19

 

[New Yorker]

Our national team is very average, too many 130s bowler who are also weak on skills, not to mention short in height. Afridi and Musa can add lot of value, that too right away. They both are 140k...Musa is enforcer and Afridi has height, lot better than Raees and Junaid.

Pakistan has not debut 140k bowler since 2010( Wahab was last one). Musa is in that brack and Afridi is not far way. Pakistan needs power in their bowling and different variety. Current lot does not even look like a bowler.

These guys can hit a few as well. I am sick of 130k trundlers, that has killed us.

yeah, we need more wahabs and rahat alis, that is the way forward. no need to show ability to take wickets. just pace yaar.

sadaf should be next in line for a spot in the odi team. shaheen can wait.

 

[New Yorker]

Bro, who are those so many options with new ball, apart from Amir?

sadaf

 

[New Yorker]

More than enough for a 6’6” guy with skills & intelligence. At his height, if he goes for more pace, might not last long. Average of 134km, with effort ball adding 10-12 kms is more than enough. I have seen Md. Talha teaching 146K with my own eyes - half-volley on pads, with a 7-2 field ..... that too against someone Mahela Jaya....

i know a really tall bowler who is 6'5"-6'6" and was top wicket taker in the departmental one day cup. been top domestic wicket taker for years. maybe he should get a go too?...

 

[MMHS]

i know a really tall bowler who is 6'5"-6'6" and was top wicket taker in the departmental one day cup. been top domestic wicket taker for years. maybe he should get a go too?...

Indeed, but he might be already 30+ biologically ..... and 125k average, with effort ball reaching 134k - that’s a bit too uncomfortable gap from what wrote in my post.

On top of that, might be Danish Kaneria’s boss in field & Asif’s big boss with bat....

 

[Hamstead_joy]

There should've been an option of no, never again. Playing against india is a legacy issue, this would reflect badly on their future prospects also. I would rather take a limited player but mentally tough fighter like Anwar Ali over these Shaheen Afridi like jokes.

 

[MMHS]

There should've been an option of no, never again. Playing against india is a legacy issue, this would reflect badly on their future prospects also. I would rather take a limited player but mentally tough fighter like Anwar Ali over these Shaheen Afridi like jokes.

Anwar Ali mentally tough fighter? Are you sure?

 

[Hamstead_joy]

Anwar Ali mentally tough fighter? Are you sure?

Absolutely example, T20 match against Sri Lanka where he chased the total alone.

His bowling in the under-19 World Cup Final against India where Pakistan defended total of 109 in a 50 over match, which had later test players Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.

Anwar Ali survives due to that to this day.
Playing against india is a long-term consequence for any career in Pakistan, this performance is going to hurt Shaheen Afridi later also.

 

[HuzaifaE]

Absolutely example, T20 match against Sri Lanka where he chased the total alone.

His bowling in the under-19 World Cup Final against India where Pakistan defended total of 109 in a 50 over match, which had later test players Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja.

Anwar Ali survives due to that to this day.
Playing against india is a long-term consequence for any career in Pakistan, this performance is going to hurt Shaheen Afridi later also.

The only person who's going to look at a sole U19 game with such scrutiny is you, and for good reason. This is the most ridiculous hyperbole you can read. Anwar Ali, lionheart of Pakistan, vs the timid and talentless Shaheen.

 

[Hamstead_joy]

The only person who's going to look at a sole U19 game with such scrutiny is you, and for good reason. This is the most ridiculous hyperbole you can read. Anwar Ali, lionheart of Pakistan, vs the timid and talentless Shaheen.

Time will tell. Anwar Ali survives to this day and Shaheen Shah Afridi brother Riaz who also was gifted but lost to India in U19 is a forgotten entity. Shaheen Afridi has damaged his chances for getting in the national side. The match showed also he is a mental midget.

 

[asfandyar]

Without FC cricket, how can he learn the art of getting a batsman out, when batsman is not swinging around for a run rate of 10? I don’t think anyone is telling here to play him at Leeds in 5 months time; but chances are high that unless he (the other pacer also) is taken care of immediately; Basit Alis will get their hand on him.

I tell you a story (I read it somewhere, may be a satire) - a group of Japanese investors went to visit Bihar and looking at it's prospects, one of them said something like in 10 years time they can convert Bihar like Kobe or Yokohama ... Lalu replied - hand over Japan to me, I'll make it Bihar in 5 years .......


Be very careful, about what you are asking for.

By FC, I meant Pakistan FC cricket. County cricket is OK. In Pakistan's FC, players cannot learn the bold part of your comment as the ball swings miles. In the past, bowlers had to earn their wickets by making the batsman commit a blunder. Nowadays, every Tom, Dick and Harry swings the ball miles on green Rawalpindi wickets, so bowling gains are minimum.

From my years of following Pakistan's domestics, I have come to a conclusion: select bowlers based on List-A stats, and batsmen based on FC stats (provided their List-A strike rate is also >80 if the format you are selecting them for is ODIs).

Btw loved the last part of your comment.

 

[hadi123]

Yes. Age is just a number. Even if he gets smashed, he can be dropped and go back to domestics and work on his game so we have nothing to lose. Give him a chance in the next series if there's room for him. Obviously don't want him debuting in a major tournament though. Hopefully he gets a chance before WC19

 

[barah_admi]

Bro, who are those so many options with new ball, apart from Amir?

Amir, Raeez, Hasan, Yamin are all part of current squads, add in Junaid returning from injury, then take into account spinners Shadab, Nawaz, Imad (after his recovery) and you have 8 players vying for 4 or 5 bowling slots. Add in part time bowlers like Faheem and Harris and we have 10 bowling options vying for half as many bowling slots.

The limited overs side is set and I don't see Shaheen currently being better than any of them. Not to mention 2 or 3 players who are just about to arrive on the international scene who are in their 20s.

For tests there's Amir, Hasan, Abbas, probably Raees, a couple others I'm forgetting and then Shah and at least 2 other spinners.

There is time and he has it, so allow him to develop.

 

[Pete Rose]

He's not ready for international cricket, but has enough there to learn on the job. I would, however, say that Musa looks about the same.

 

[ManFan]

For those asking him to play DC for another 1-2 years, all he will learn there is to lower his speed and get 30 wickets in a FC season. You have a gold mine here. A 6ft 6inch bowler who is genuinely under 20 and actually has a bowling brain. If in his 1st T20 he gets figures of 4-35-1, than it will be a job well done. Quite simply, he has nothing to learn from our garbage domestic cricket.

 

[MMHS]

Amir, Raeez, Hasan, Yamin are all part of current squads, add in Junaid returning from injury, then take into account spinners Shadab, Nawaz, Imad (after his recovery) and you have 8 players vying for 4 or 5 bowling slots. Add in part time bowlers like Faheem and Harris and we have 10 bowling options vying for half as many bowling slots.

The limited overs side is set and I don't see Shaheen currently being better than any of them. Not to mention 2 or 3 players who are just about to arrive on the international scene who are in their 20s.

For tests there's Amir, Hasan, Abbas, probably Raees, a couple others I'm forgetting and then Shah and at least 2 other spinners.

There is time and he has it, so allow him to develop.

Read again bro, read my post, with emphasis on the "new" word. Names you mentioned I also have seen and probably more closely than you - most of them bowls at reduced pace with new ball, because it's like a wet soap for them, for their grip, and wrist........ and, some how they manage not to swing the new ball even an inch. What you see from Abbas is seem movement on green tops - still it works mostly against tail. Take him to Indian grounds and out field, batsmen will play him standing a yard out, and like an offie, who doesn't turn or flight.

 

[barah_admi]

Read again bro, read my post, with emphasis on the "new" word. Names you mentioned I also have seen and probably more closely than you - most of them bowls at reduced pace with new ball, because it's like a wet soap for them, for their grip, and wrist........ and, some how they manage not to swing the new ball even an inch. What you see from Abbas is seem movement on green tops - still it works mostly against tail. Take him to Indian grounds and out field, batsmen will play him standing a yard out, and like an offie, who doesn't turn or flight.

Huh?

Amir and Rees have opened the bowling for Pakistan, as Yamin did so too. Hasan has also bowled as early as the 5th or 6th over at times. That's 4 names for you. If Junaid comes back, he can open too. What is your point?

I think you just want me to say Pakistan has n o one and are in desperate need of Shaheen but that is not true. If you don't like it, fine but please don't lie.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

We all know you can add 2 years at least to your official age in Pakistan. The guy is 19-20 and is ready for International cricket. Much better prospect then Rumman Raees. Should get games at ODI to start with.

 

[MMHS]

Huh?

Amir and Rees have opened the bowling for Pakistan, as Yamin did so too. Hasan has also bowled as early as the 5th or 6th over at times. That's 4 names for you. If Junaid comes back, he can open too. What is your point?

I think you just want me to say Pakistan has n o one and are in desperate need of Shaheen but that is not true. If you don't like it, fine but please don't lie.

New ball ke saath hamre Nazmul bhi to gen bazi open karte the re bahi......, khair, choro. If I have hurt you, ignore it.

 

[Mueez]

Let him get a good PSL and he will be in the squad!

 

[kingusama92]

There should've been an option of no, never again. Playing against india is a legacy issue, this would reflect badly on their future prospects also. I would rather take a limited player but mentally tough fighter like Anwar Ali over these Shaheen Afridi like jokes.

Don't put that much weight into specific matches.

For example, Virat Kohli only scored 19 in the U19 WC final.

 

[Syed1]

Don't put that much weight into specific matches.

For example, Virat Kohli only scored 19 in the U19 WC final.

And Shadab Khan had a so-so u19 WC, but today he is ripping through batting line-ups and scoring clutch fifties. The u19 WC isn't the end all be all of everything.

 

[babajee]

And Shadab Khan had a so-so u19 WC, but today he is ripping through batting line-ups and scoring clutch fifties. The u19 WC isn't the end all be all of everything.

And Sami Aslam was a top performer at U19 level but sadly hasn’t been able to translate any of it to international level.

 

[hur rizvi]

Hope he has a good PSL that could push him close

 

[hur rizvi]

Time will tell. Anwar Ali survives to this day and Shaheen Shah Afridi brother Riaz who also was gifted but lost to India in U19 is a forgotten entity. Shaheen Afridi has damaged his chances for getting in the national side. The match showed also he is a mental midget.

LOL chill this is a kids game

 

[BlueDoritos]

No. He Should play regular domestic cricket and some PSL matches, travel with the test team to Ireland and England to learn.

If he continues to impress then maybe he can make his international debut in Zimbabwe.

 

[Saj]

I think bringing him to England this summer would be too soon.

Perhaps give him until the end of the year and then see where he is.

He's not far off though and actually looks better than some of the current crop of Pakistan international bowlers.

 

[Noman]

I think bringing him to England this summer would be too soon.

Perhaps give him until the end of the year and then see where he is.

He's not far off though and actually looks better than some of the current crop of Pakistan international bowlers.

Should be in the team Pakistan. Will learn alot and keep the pressure on Amir and Raees. Especially Amir should only play 3 matches of 5 odi series. He is too lazy

 

[Boi]

Wont know until he is given a chance. Get him in and around the squad or at the very least send him on a few A team tours - if they ever happen.

 

[barah_admi]

New ball ke saath hamre Nazmul bhi to gen bazi open karte the re bahi......, khair, choro. If I have hurt you, ignore it.

I don't get hurt, it's a forum lol

But I dislike dishonesty. You claimed Pakistan had no option beyond Amir with the new ball in limited overs, I named 3 other options, now you are tapping out. Its fine but admit you're wrong and stop typing in very poor urdu or whatever language you tried.

 

[sshakir411]

PSL will determine where he stands as compared to the big boys. Not too long till we find out.

 

[GrandMaster]

It's too early I guess. He needs to earn the spot in men's team by merit, backed up by some good and consistent performances in domestic and PSL.

 

[New Yorker]

Huh?

Amir and Rees have opened the bowling for Pakistan, as Yamin did so too. Hasan has also bowled as early as the 5th or 6th over at times. That's 4 names for you. If Junaid comes back, he can open too. What is your point?

I think you just want me to say Pakistan has n o one and are in desperate need of Shaheen but that is not true. If you don't like it, fine but please don't lie.

Yamin is simply not an option, nor, we saw, is Rumman. Which leaves Junaid or Shinwari, both of whom have been very serviceable of late, but there are questions I think over whether they are truly world class. Shinwari has not performed well enough in domestics to warrant selection over Sadaf.

With Amir unable to take wickets consistently, Pakistan are in need of another ODI opening bowler. Whether that bowler is Shaheen is another question. Fortunately, since he is only 17, there is a lot of time to find out.

 

[MMHS]

I don't get hurt, it's a forum lol

But I dislike dishonesty. You claimed Pakistan had no option beyond Amir with the new ball in limited overs, I named 3 other options, now you are tapping out. Its fine but admit you're wrong and stop typing in very poor urdu or whatever language you tried.

Don't over do it kid. I am talking about new ball bowling, not bowlers who is taking the new ball. First, learn what is new ball bowling.

Read your post again-

Amir and Rees have opened the bowling for Pakistan, as Yamin did so too. Hasan has also bowled as early as the 5th or 6th over at times. That's 4 names for you. If Junaid comes back, he can open too. What is your point?

I think you just want me to say Pakistan has n o one and are in desperate need of Shaheen but that is not true. If you don't like it, fine but please don't lie


Now, take it to someone knows the game to explain you, in the language you understand, what is my point here. There are two ends to open bowling with 2 new balls in ODI, and they don't allow one bowler to bowl from both ends back to back overs - obviously there has to be one more than Amir to take the new ball, even Hafeez also has done so, therefore obviously I am lying.

 

[MMHS]

Yamin is simply not an option, nor, we saw, is Rumman. Which leaves Junaid or Shinwari, both of whom have been very serviceable of late, but there are questions I think over whether they are truly world class. Shinwari has not performed well enough in domestics to warrant selection over Sadaf.

With Amir unable to take wickets consistently, Pakistan are in need of another ODI opening bowler. Whether that bowler is Shaheen is another question. Fortunately, since he is only 17, there is a lot of time to find out.

You don't know anything - anyone taking new ball can do the job.

 

[Zaz]

Think we should all calm down Bowling against 17/18 yr olds is one thing

Bowling against the likes of kohli and de villiers is another

Lets give him a chance (get accustomed to bowling and learn his art) before we throw him into the lions den

 

[Justcrazy]

He has to be with professional coach , otherwise he will be in background long time.

 

[wrongun]

Brett Lee and Cummins were 18/19 when debuted.

Fast bowlers don't need years refining a technique. Pick 'em while they are hot because otherwise they rot on the vine.

 

[Syed1]

He has to be with professional coach , otherwise he will be in background long time.

Well he is going to be working with Aquib Javed at LQ. Unfortunately for us Shaheen has been lost to the Aquib.

 

[Sadevdesai]

We put new players on a High Pedestal only after few good outings .... this only puts a tremendous pressure on the player !!! What do you think his family must be telling him at home or his friends ??? Then, the pressure of performing at the highest level gets to him and he messes up. Then, all sorts of negative comments appear on pages such as this ..... not good. Encouraging him is one thing, but to call him a “Next Super Star” is completely foolish. This happens everywhere else in the world too, because the people are hungry to see a Super Star evolve. Not easy to contain the joy ... but at what price ???

 

[New Yorker]

Brett Lee and Cummins were 18/19 when debuted.

Fast bowlers don't need years refining a technique. Pick 'em while they are hot because otherwise they rot on the vine.

Because human beings are like fruit? Let's see how far we can push this strained metaphor. Should we also store them in dark, cool places?

 

[wrongun]

Yes, when not active, fast bowlers should be kept cool & dry at all times ala in the dressing sheds.

If you don't like the metaphor then please consider the 400 examples I read about on PP where a young quick is not selected when hot & ready & then just settles for trundler status in domestics.

I don't advocate this for every bowler but for genuine quicks, get them in there.

 

[moghul]

Now or never.

 

[troodon]

He reminds me of Mohammed Irfan.

Irfan was a gun bowler in 2013-2014.

 

[CadPakFan]

Give him a try against Ireland or WI then we will see.

 

[IAJ]

Don’t why people are talking about his accuracy, we have no bowler who are like McGrath or Philander in the national side. Every bowlers bowls a couple of bad balls in the over, so what’s wrong with giving Afridi a go? We need wicket taker..

 

[ManFan]

Don’t why people are talking about his accuracy, we have no bowler who are like McGrath or Philander in the national side. Every bowlers bowls a couple of bad balls in the over, so what’s wrong with giving Afridi a go? We need wicket taker..

Even if he ends up being expensive, he should be tried in the T20's against the WI in Pakistan.

 

[IAJ]

^ sorry for the grammatical errors in the above post. My english is like Pakistan’s batting, comes off every 30th post.