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Shaheen Shah Afridi speaking during a press conference ahead of crusial super 4 game against Bangaldesh:
About Pakistani players behaving too aggressively:
“There’s nothing special about it. I think we’ve all been aggressive from the very beginning. When you’re an aggressive fast bowler, it naturally lifts the energy of the entire team. We don’t follow any fixed plan—our job is simply to channel that aggression into our body language and let it reflect through our bowling.”
“Our job is to play cricket. We don’t focus on what others think. Everyone deserves respect, and everyone will think the way they want to. Our job is to play cricket. We came here to win the tri-nation series—and we did. We came here to win the Asia Cup—and we’re focused on that.”
About facing India in the final of the Asia Cup:
“They haven’t reached the final yet—we’ll see when they do. We’re here with one goal: to win the final and lift the Asia Cup. No matter which team comes our way, we’re ready and we’ll beat them.”
About fast bowling struggling and desperation to win games:
“It’s not that the team isn’t winning—we’ve secured 11 or 12 victories in a relatively short span. So, it’s not a question of failing to win matches. Yes, we haven’t beaten the top-tier teams yet but when you start facing stronger sides, that’s when real progress shows. The teams we’re up against now, we’re competing with them head-on.”
“I don’t believe our fast bowlers have struggled. T20 that batters have full freedom to go after the ball. But as fast bowlers, we need to introduce more variation in our bowling—and we’re actively working on that.”
About failing to win a trophy yet and his performance:
“My job is to bowl whenever I’m given the opportunity. Whether it’s batting, fielding, or bowling, I give my 100% in whatever role I’m assigned. That’s just how it is. Whenever I step onto the field, I try to give my all. Even if I’m unwell or carrying an injury, I never let it show. My responsibility is to lift the team’s morale and play every bit of cricket with full energy and commitment. Shaheen Afridi will give his life if he plays for Pakistan.”
About bowling 3 overs in powerplay:
“I was getting good swing. And when you get an early breakthrough, especially against two key players who’ve been anchoring their side for years, it changes the game. So, if you’ve taken their wickets, why not bowl another over? That’s the mindset of attacking cricket—you bring in your strike bowlers and aim to finish the game early.”
About batting contributions all the way down to number nine:
“If you’re playing in the team, it’s your job to contribute in all departments. Even the fast-bowling coach is guiding the spinners. It’s everyone’s job to support each other and do whatever helps Pakistan win.”
About part-timer operating from the other end affecting his rhythm with the new ball and role of Fast Bowlers:
“It depends on the pitch. In Dubai, for example, spin plays a bigger role. Fast bowlers don’t get much swing in the second innings. It also depends on the batters—some play fast bowling better, some play spin better. So, we plan accordingly and execute based on that.”
“I enjoy playing cricket. I would want all 5 fast bowlers to play because as a fast bowler, it’s fun to bowl bouncers and show aggression. So, there should be fast bowlers.”
About facing India for the third time:
“Of course, we'll win. That's our job. We should give credit to Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz because they chased a low total and also handled the pressure. It's the same. All the boys perform well and did well today. We should give credit to them.”
About performance of all the players in the squad:
“These are our players, and they’ve delivered commendable performances. Mohammad Haris, for instance, scored a century in Lahore against Bangladesh—proof that he knows how to bat, just like Saim. Both are integral members of the squad. Even when Saim doesn’t contribute with the bat, he puts in the effort through his bowling and fielding. That’s the kind of team spirit you need.”
“Players sitting on the bench aren’t lacking in talent either. They’re all part of our setup, and what they need is a fair opportunity. They’ve been working tirelessly, and whenever they get the chance, they’ll give it their absolute best. Hussain, too, had been waiting for his moment and he got man of the match award. Every player in the squad is capable”
About Suryakumar Yadav’s statement that there is no rivalry:
“Let him do and say whatever he wants. Let him reach the final—we’ll deal with it when he shows up. Our job is to win the Asia Cup. That’s why we’re here, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
About upcoming game against Bangladesh
“Bangladesh is a good team, and they’ve been playing well recently. When you face sides like that, you have to strike first—you can’t afford to give them any opportunity. We’ll need to perform across all departments: fielding, bowling, and batting. After that, we move on to the next game, but for now, our full focus is on Bangladesh.”
“Today marked my debut against Sri Lanka. Despite having played 88 matches, I had never faced them before. Hassan Ali also presented me with the cap.”
About Pakistani players behaving too aggressively:
“There’s nothing special about it. I think we’ve all been aggressive from the very beginning. When you’re an aggressive fast bowler, it naturally lifts the energy of the entire team. We don’t follow any fixed plan—our job is simply to channel that aggression into our body language and let it reflect through our bowling.”
“Our job is to play cricket. We don’t focus on what others think. Everyone deserves respect, and everyone will think the way they want to. Our job is to play cricket. We came here to win the tri-nation series—and we did. We came here to win the Asia Cup—and we’re focused on that.”
About facing India in the final of the Asia Cup:
“They haven’t reached the final yet—we’ll see when they do. We’re here with one goal: to win the final and lift the Asia Cup. No matter which team comes our way, we’re ready and we’ll beat them.”
About fast bowling struggling and desperation to win games:
“It’s not that the team isn’t winning—we’ve secured 11 or 12 victories in a relatively short span. So, it’s not a question of failing to win matches. Yes, we haven’t beaten the top-tier teams yet but when you start facing stronger sides, that’s when real progress shows. The teams we’re up against now, we’re competing with them head-on.”
“I don’t believe our fast bowlers have struggled. T20 that batters have full freedom to go after the ball. But as fast bowlers, we need to introduce more variation in our bowling—and we’re actively working on that.”
About failing to win a trophy yet and his performance:
“My job is to bowl whenever I’m given the opportunity. Whether it’s batting, fielding, or bowling, I give my 100% in whatever role I’m assigned. That’s just how it is. Whenever I step onto the field, I try to give my all. Even if I’m unwell or carrying an injury, I never let it show. My responsibility is to lift the team’s morale and play every bit of cricket with full energy and commitment. Shaheen Afridi will give his life if he plays for Pakistan.”
About bowling 3 overs in powerplay:
“I was getting good swing. And when you get an early breakthrough, especially against two key players who’ve been anchoring their side for years, it changes the game. So, if you’ve taken their wickets, why not bowl another over? That’s the mindset of attacking cricket—you bring in your strike bowlers and aim to finish the game early.”
About batting contributions all the way down to number nine:
“If you’re playing in the team, it’s your job to contribute in all departments. Even the fast-bowling coach is guiding the spinners. It’s everyone’s job to support each other and do whatever helps Pakistan win.”
About part-timer operating from the other end affecting his rhythm with the new ball and role of Fast Bowlers:
“It depends on the pitch. In Dubai, for example, spin plays a bigger role. Fast bowlers don’t get much swing in the second innings. It also depends on the batters—some play fast bowling better, some play spin better. So, we plan accordingly and execute based on that.”
“I enjoy playing cricket. I would want all 5 fast bowlers to play because as a fast bowler, it’s fun to bowl bouncers and show aggression. So, there should be fast bowlers.”
About facing India for the third time:
“Of course, we'll win. That's our job. We should give credit to Hussain Talat and Mohammad Nawaz because they chased a low total and also handled the pressure. It's the same. All the boys perform well and did well today. We should give credit to them.”
About performance of all the players in the squad:
“These are our players, and they’ve delivered commendable performances. Mohammad Haris, for instance, scored a century in Lahore against Bangladesh—proof that he knows how to bat, just like Saim. Both are integral members of the squad. Even when Saim doesn’t contribute with the bat, he puts in the effort through his bowling and fielding. That’s the kind of team spirit you need.”
“Players sitting on the bench aren’t lacking in talent either. They’re all part of our setup, and what they need is a fair opportunity. They’ve been working tirelessly, and whenever they get the chance, they’ll give it their absolute best. Hussain, too, had been waiting for his moment and he got man of the match award. Every player in the squad is capable”
About Suryakumar Yadav’s statement that there is no rivalry:
“Let him do and say whatever he wants. Let him reach the final—we’ll deal with it when he shows up. Our job is to win the Asia Cup. That’s why we’re here, and we’ll give it everything we’ve got.”
About upcoming game against Bangladesh
“Bangladesh is a good team, and they’ve been playing well recently. When you face sides like that, you have to strike first—you can’t afford to give them any opportunity. We’ll need to perform across all departments: fielding, bowling, and batting. After that, we move on to the next game, but for now, our full focus is on Bangladesh.”
“Today marked my debut against Sri Lanka. Despite having played 88 matches, I had never faced them before. Hassan Ali also presented me with the cap.”
these guys are not some diplomats, they are answering well what is put before them in a sensitive and tricky time. Non-issue. Well spoken 
Dude has huffed and puffed and made his injuries obvious when the fire has gotten too hot in the past.
