What's new

"It's good for me to have senior players alongside me in the bowling attack" : Shaheen Shah Afridi

MenInG

PakPassion Administrator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Runs
218,113
"It's good for me to have senior players alongside me in the bowling attack" : Shaheen Shah Afridi

Being branded the next Wasim Akram, compared to Mitchell Starc by your coach and given the reins to Pakistan's bowling attack would daunt most 19-year-olds.

But as the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup approaches, teenage pace sensation Shaheen Afridi is reassured by the weight of experience in his side's ranks.

The 6ft 6in youngster is leaning heavily on the experience of Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, with 130 ODIs between them, ahead of the tournament in England & Wales.

"It's very good to have them in the squad," said Afridi.

"It's good for us and the team to have them back.

"They are very senior and experienced players. They have played a lot of cricket around the world and for Pakistan.

"It's good for me, as this is my first World Cup, to have very senior players alongside me in the bowling attack."

This is Afridi's first appearance at a senior showpiece but he represented his country at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2018, claiming 12 wickets in five matches.

His considerable skill immediately came to the fore in Pakistan's three-match ODI series against New Zealand in 2018, taking nine wickets at 11.33.

This month's series clash with England was an uncomfortable experience for Pakistan bowlers, who conceded over 300 runs in all four completed matches.

But with their second warm-up match against Bangladesh washed out, Afridi hailed the importance of the five-match series for their preparation.

"We have trained very well recently," he said.

"We have already played a full series against England so we already feel ready for the World Cup.

"It was a tough series for our team. We were playing against the number one side in the world at home.

"But we learnt a lot and it was good preparation because the big stage is coming."
 
Tough on shaheen when he’s got wastes like Wahab and Amir as the ‘senior’ bowlers to turn to. And to put the icing on the cake Azhar is our bowling coach. It’s going to be a massive learning curve for him this tournament.
 
<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/338541566" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><a href="https://vimeo.com/338541566">Shaheen</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user98920333">Abdullah Ansari</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

.
 
How is Amir a waste?
He was the primary strike bowler in Pakistan's second biggest ODI win ever, Champions Trophy 2017 against India (first being WC 1992 against England)? Against India what was on stake. How Amir bowled. I don't know how people can call Amir a waste. Yes he underachieved in his career for his immense talent, mostly all due to what transpired in 2010 era. However, he's had a heck of a career that most would only dream of having and has had two key all time moments for Pakistan. One CT in 2017. Second T20WC in 2009. You can't call the primary fast bowling strike bowler of those two huge victories a waste.

That said, I wouldn't select Amir ahead of Shaheen. Either I play them both, or I go with Shaheen until Amir shows form.
 
Tough on shaheen when he’s got wastes like Wahab and Amir as the ‘senior’ bowlers to turn to. And to put the icing on the cake Azhar is our bowling coach. It’s going to be a massive learning curve for him this tournament.

I don't think he'll get picked for the first game after that horror show against Afghanistan. The senior bowlers he's talking about will probably start instead.
 
His lack of form has been a major worry for Pakistan going into the world cup... I hope he will be able to turn it around though...
 
Last edited:
Shaheen's recent figures:

10-0-80-1
10-0-83-0
10-0-82-4 (tailenders)
6-0-51-0
 
Shaheen's recent figures:

10-0-80-1
10-0-83-0
10-0-82-4 (tailenders)
6-0-51-0

It's very worrying as he was our best bowler the last year. Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir and everyone else have been mediocre for a very long time but I had high hopes from SSA but he's been very disappointing so far. I really hope he sorts himself out but I can't see him starting against WI.
 
It's very worrying as he was our best bowler the last year. Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir and everyone else have been mediocre for a very long time but I had high hopes from SSA but he's been very disappointing so far. I really hope he sorts himself out but I can't see him starting against WI.
He has himself to blame. He is not using his height, and neither is he bowling the length that made him successful in his initial burst in international cricket. Not sure why all of our bowlers end up bowling short of good length under Azhar, after prolonged exposure to this coaching staff. Hasan was hitting immaculate lengths on Windies tour 2017, CT 2017 and Sri Lanka 2017. Now it is mandatory for him to bowl atleast one short and wide long hop in an over. Amir has made a career out of bowling this defensive length, albeit with slightly more accuracy which is why he escapes phainty numerous times. It's like these bowlers are more interested in hitting Sarfraz's gloves rather than getting batsmen out :sarf2
 
He has himself to blame. He is not using his height, and neither is he bowling the length that made him successful in his initial burst in international cricket. Not sure why all of our bowlers end up bowling short of good length under Azhar, after prolonged exposure to this coaching staff. Hasan was hitting immaculate lengths on Windies tour 2017, CT 2017 and Sri Lanka 2017. Now it is mandatory for him to bowl atleast one short and wide long hop in an over. Amir has made a career out of bowling this defensive length, albeit with slightly more accuracy which is why he escapes phainty numerous times. It's like these bowlers are more interested in hitting Sarfraz's gloves rather than getting batsmen out :sarf2

These guys are better off without a bowling coach and better off just watching their best performances on Youtube
 
It's very worrying as he was our best bowler the last year. Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir and everyone else have been mediocre for a very long time but I had high hopes from SSA but he's been very disappointing so far. I really hope he sorts himself out but I can't see him starting against WI.

I share the same view here. I cannot help but feel Azhar Mahmood has played his part with his incompetence and has somehow found a way for these bowlers to regress so much in such short period of time.
 
It is reasonable to blame Azhar Mahmood for the decline in our performance, but at the top level, the players also need to have a good feel for the game. The likes of Amir, Hasan, Shaheen etc. should have the instincts to know what to ball and when regardless of the instructions given to them by the coaches.

The way our players decline after starting brightly clearly indicates that they are not good students of the game and neither do have the instincts to react on the field.
 
It is reasonable to blame Azhar Mahmood for the decline in our performance, but at the top level, the players also need to have a good feel for the game. The likes of Amir, Hasan, Shaheen etc. should have the instincts to know what to ball and when regardless of the instructions given to them by the coaches.

The way our players decline after starting brightly clearly indicates that they are not good students of the game and neither do have the instincts to react on the field.

Do you believe that a bowler can oppose Mickey Arthurs game plan or coaching manuals? Agreed that they are not good student of the game but again they all were match winners in Psl under different management, just a few month back.
 
Hes a young man with a lot of potential but is not ready to play in a wc. Maybe pcb should have saved him for the next wc. Also, a big injustice to have selected shaheen and left out shinwari.
 
another stallion being ruined under the 'guidance' of our esteemed county trundler bowling coach.
 
Do you believe that a bowler can oppose Mickey Arthurs game plan or coaching manuals? Agreed that they are not good student of the game but again they all were match winners in Psl under different management, just a few month back.

That probably tells more about PSL’s standard (not only batsman, wickets & playing conditions as well).

Also, T20s are last place to judge blowers - it’s actually more damaging to bowlers than batsman, particularly fast bowlers because it destroys their discipline. Spinners still can get away (that’s why majority top T20 bowlers are spinners), but it destroys fast bowlers more than even before injurers. Pacers has to change line, length, pace constantly; they had to bowl 1-2 overs spells completely out of rhythm, they had to bowl with various grips almost every ball and worst is it doesn’t allow them to develop a “stock ball”. You bowl couple of beautiful out swingers - you become predictable. Besides, T20 is instant cricket - worst medicine to develop the intellectual aspects of the game; you don’t think in T20, you just react.

PAK is paying the toll for playing it’s premier players every T20, even the ZIM tri series and allowing them to play every such leagues, including privately owned domestic tournaments. It’s just the beginning of the rot - unless top youngsters are protected from the curse, many will follow Shadab, Shaheen, Faheem.....
 
I still believe he will be back

Just needs to sort out his head, watch his SA tour videos and bowl with a relaxed mind
 
I am yet to be impressed by Shaheen, and one senior who was a good bowler when he started cricket is hardly any good himself these days, so he is left with Wahab and Azhar.

I feel sorry for this youngster.
 
I am yet to be impressed by Shaheen, and one senior who was a good bowler when he started cricket is hardly any good himself these days, so he is left with Wahab and Azhar.

I feel sorry for this youngster.

have you not seen how he has dismissed top batsmen like Amla, Ronchi, Munro, Kakmal, Imam, Faf in his very short career in top level cricket?

he's a gem who has a freakish ability to bowl wicket-taking deliveries, a trait not seen in the much quicker Hasnain.
 
have you not seen how he has dismissed top batsmen like Amla, Ronchi, Munro, Kakmal, Imam, Faf in his very short career in top level cricket?

he's a gem who has a freakish ability to bowl wicket-taking deliveries, a trait not seen in the much quicker Hasnain.

Good to see you AZ. How have you been?
 
have you not seen how he has dismissed top batsmen like Amla, Ronchi, Munro, Kakmal, Imam, Faf in his very short career in top level cricket?

he's a gem who has a freakish ability to bowl wicket-taking deliveries, a trait not seen in the much quicker Hasnain.

I don't consider few good wickets as anything special AZ there are tons of factors new bowler not seen by batsman favorable conditions etc. mark of a good bowler is hidden with consistency and performing above average in different circumstances.
 
have you not seen how he has dismissed top batsmen like Amla, Ronchi, Munro, Kakmal, Imam, Faf in his very short career in top level cricket?

he's a gem who has a freakish ability to bowl wicket-taking deliveries, a trait not seen in the much quicker Hasnain.

He does have some great deliveries in his locker, unfortunately they are usually supported by some rubbish in the same spell. At this moment in time he is just not showing enough control or consistency to command a place, which is a shame because he is one of the few bowlers who can take wickets with the new ball - provided he can actually put it in the right channels.
 
Please learn how to catch.

Give those Windies powerhitters a second chance and they'll murder us.
 
Damn his English is pretty decent but I loved the attitude he’s a true Afridi and he will perform brilliantly at this World Cup in sha allah
 
have you not seen how he has dismissed top batsmen like Amla, Ronchi, Munro, Kakmal, Imam, Faf in his very short career in top level cricket?

he's a gem who has a freakish ability to bowl wicket-taking deliveries, a trait not seen in the much quicker Hasnain.

Welcome back!

Agreed. The kid is an absolute gem. Anyone who cant see that and are going based on his poor form dont understand a top bowler imo.
 
If we catch well, we will get on a roll. I think he will come good. the team is low on confidence because havent won for a while.
 
...and these spineless cretins have dropped him from the 12 take on Windies tomorrow.

pathetic and disgraceful mismanagement, the sooner this coaching staff is sacked the better.
 
We need Shaheen Shah firing on all cylinders to be honest . . yes, he has bowled poorly in England so far . . but you just can't ignore his performances prior to that . .a nd you can't become a bad bowler from the shining talent that he was in a matter of 4 games . .

Needs to be given confidence!

He has to play against India in Old Trafford . . it's the bouciest pitch in England! If he can find the 90 mph pace, he will be handful . . needs ot be given confidence . . I would play him at the latest starting game 3 perhaps (SL) and get his confidence back!
 
He'll end up as our highest wicket-taker even if he ends up playing 6 matches.

Too good of a bowler to be down for long.

Unfairly dropped for the chosen one.
 
Will replace Amir bhai in the next match.

And will announce himself on the biggest stage of cricket.
 
Koi tou samjhdaar hai yahan

Bro we need to support gun players!

I agree Shaheen was smacked by England but so were others.

I think dropping him for one match will send him a warning - which will improve his bowling.

And we will soon see him doing the ‘aeroplane celebration’.

IA!
 
Back
Top