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[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Is Shaheen Shah Afridi trying to become an all-rounder due to the loss of pace from his injury?

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[MENTION=140816]reversehook[/MENTION] presented this theory

Shaheen Afridi has been healed from his injury, yet today he was bowling at 130kph, while Naseem was touching 145 kph.

It is no secret we saw him try to bat as an allrounder in psl and he also got training from Afridi for it aswell.

It seems as if Shaheen has seen the writing on the wall, and wont be able to recover back his bowling speed and thus is trying to become an allrounder
 
Tbh Shaheens pace had been declining even before his knee injury. His speeds were down against Australia and WI in the ODI series in 2022.

It is difficult for bowlers to keep bowling at high speeds when they play a lot of Cricket.
 
Savak said:
Tbh Shaheens pace had been declining even before his knee injury. His speeds were down against Australia and WI in the ODI series in 2022.

It is difficult for bowlers to keep bowling at high speeds when they play a lot of Cricket.
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Yep. That's accurate. We really really need to manage our pacers better. For a stretch of about 2.5 years, Shaheen bowled the most overs in international cricket by any pacer.
 
That's why I rate Cummins, Bumrah, Rabada and Shami so high. They have maintained high pace of 140s and performance after playing so much of cricket in last 6 years.

Shaheen barely has 100 test wickets and he seems to be down and out like he is at same age as Stuart Broad.
 
Ab Fan said:
That's why I rate Cummins, Bumrah, Rabada and Shami so high. They have maintained high pace of 140s and performance after playing so much of cricket in last 6 years.

Shaheen barely has 100 test wickets and he seems to be down and out like he is at same age as Stuart Broad.
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Bumrah really isn't the example you should be giving here. He has spent most of his time out injured even after having a low workload. His avg pace was never that high and still dipped for vast chunks. Rabbada too was bowling barely low 130s last year.

Cummins has mostly maintained his pace but he has a very well managed workload.
 
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Ab Fan said:
That's why I rate Cummins, Bumrah, Rabada and Shami so high. They have maintained high pace of 140s and performance after playing so much of cricket in last 6 years.

Shaheen barely has 100 test wickets and he seems to be down and out like he is at same age as Stuart Broad.
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Bumrah is a white ball choker. Rabada has lost his pace and shami was a trundler for the early part of his career. Not great examples really .
 
Plus why does shaheen shah have to play every single t20 game. He will wear down in next 5 years with the workload.
 
JibranAnsari said:
Plus why does shaheen shah have to play every single t20 game. He will wear down in next 5 years with the workload.
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I think we will see better workload management with this new setup.the old coaching staff was clearly clueless and i think things will change in the future.they couldnt do much changes in the t20 series as it was the first assignment but i think a lot of these things will be changed in the future
 
He should state his real age

Remember what muhammad asif said about these guys and them masquerading as debutant teenagers .
Obviously asif couldn't help with his racism but he was spot on about the age fudging .
 
I think you are correct. He is eyeing the all-rounder spot to save his career.
 
mazkhan said:
He should state his real age

Remember what muhammad asif said about these guys and them masquerading as debutant teenagers .
Obviously asif couldn't help with his racism but he was spot on about the age fudging .
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Naa his elder brother is a test cricketer. He has been in the public eye far too long. There are well documented pictures of him. Cant be a big age fudger.
 
Ramiz Raja on his YT channel:

"Shaheen Afridi also needs to increase his average speed of 136 and go up by a notch or two when he bowls forward. This is because on such pitches, you need to have a good understanding of your bowling, as you know that you will not get much sideways movement. Therefore, you need to develop a process through variations, change of pace, or sheer pace to be effective"
 
Shaheen is someone who never holds back so a decline in pace is definitely down to injury and wear and tear.

It’s a shame, but it was on the cards with the amount of cricket he was playing even before the injury.

People also need to remember, he never was really the THAT express bowler in the first place. Sharp yes, express no. At peak fitness he could touch the high 140s and even the rare 150+ and that only in white ball cricket - especially t20s.

Unfortunately his physical peak may have passed. Doesn’t mean he’s unfit, it’s just that we may never see those peaks again.

And yes he’s trying to prolong his career with the batting.
 
Too much cricket means he’s not allowing himself to recover fully imo.

There are athletes like this. Even regular people who go the gym or train in mma. Get injured, but the habit and lifestyle of sports is so ingrained after a certain point that they keep pushing, even though a break is almost necessary at that point, or at least a deload of intensity at least.

This “but he’s a fighter” nonsense needs to stop.

We risked him and almost pushed him towards a potentially career ending injury at the Wt20. Nauzubi’Llah.

Babar or management or whoever needs to tell him sternly to forget about batting, random t20 leagues etc until he’s fit and firing. Maybe even take an ODI off to rest this series.

Being a fighter etc is not always brave, but stupid. You’re selfishly putting your body at risk to be brave and macho, even though you need to reduce your workload.

How on earth will his speed pick back up if he’s playing every random cricket match that he’s invited to? I think there was a Ramadan tournament in the US, maybe he should fly there and bowl there too.
 
Marooned said:
Bumrah really isn't the example you should be giving here. He has spent most of his time out injured even after having a low workload. His avg pace was never that high and still dipped for vast chunks. Rabbada too was bowling barely low 130s last year.

Cummins has mostly maintained his pace but he has a very well managed workload.
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Bumrah was genuine fast when he started off. Consistently bowled 145 kph. In last couple of overs, he bowls in range of 138-142 but still manages to clock 145 occassionally.

Injuries are part and parcel but he has maintained the pace and has over 300 international wickets already( most of them vs Aus and Eng rather than doing it vs Zim or Windies).
 
23* (7) by Shaheen in the 4th ODI vs NZ - could be the difference in tight games - very useful skill we have now!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/exE1wtq_lfY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
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Shaheen has hitting ability but the length he was getting was asking to be creamed. Good sides and smart bowlers would know how to handle shaheen.
 
Shaheen bowling at a decent pace - around the 140kph mark - will do for now.
 
After the world cup, he should be given a long stretch of games to bat at #7 in both LOI formats. In the PSL, he should bat in the top-5.

Having a world class pace-bowling all-rounder would be a huge asset to Pakistan. To get that though, you have to give Shaheen the batting experience he needs.
 
Speed is up. He does not need to be express. Average 140 with swing and accuracy is what he's about
 
Always useful to have bowlers who can bat a bit and smash the ball around in white ball formats.
 
MenInG said:
23* (7) by Shaheen in the 4th ODI vs NZ - could be the difference in tight games - very useful skill we have now!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/exE1wtq_lfY" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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Obv a contribution as such is always welcome... but he was getting pies from tickner who was clueless... coming back to shaheen... his role is not to give us runs... his is to rip havoc through the batting lineup and send shivers down their spines with his pace... so that the other bowlers can carry that momentum through or at the least benefit from it as he is the stud spearhead of our bowling. However, it has become evident through recent times that he has been mismanaged, has had heavy wear and tear and been injured, which i still believe he isnt 100% recovered from yet. And, knee injuries are such that they can pop up or re-aggrevate at any time; thus SSA being reluctant to go full out. Obviously, the kid has heart, is talented to have gotten this far, and as a result we will still see good/decent outings by him here and there. Now in this weakend NZ side he has the luxury to manage his pace and keep it below par and get away with it. But the main queation is, in a worldcup where 200% effort is required, through and through every ball every game, will he be able to give his utmost?

In an interview on tv recently he claimed he is starting to bat as per his wive's request, however, in full strength opposed games, will he consistently get the lollipops he got today or in psl (to be fair he has improved with the bat, but not where you can count on it). This is not how international teams operate, a keeper cant wish to open bowling with stud bowlers around or a batsman ask to keep in presence of a stud keeper nor a bowler in presence of proper/better all rounders compared to him. He (and rest of boys) has been lucky this series enough that the new coaching is starting rightfully so a rotation policy which will prolong their careers.

A lot of folks here need to understand for a fast bowler, knees are the sacred body parts... they can work through stiff body, arms, legs, back etc, recover from such injuries no problem, but the knees, where all your weight goes on them ball in ball out, its not a matter of if, rather a matter of when that knee buckles again... obviously these players have better fitness regime than us fans or non professional players and wont look down and out or as run down as a sunday league player, but it will catch up to them. Look at shoaib akhtar and his knee issues (albeit dif issues on the knee), only could play with the help of injections...

I am not going to speculate on shaheens age, he does look young to me, hence it saddens, and i am hoping he recovers and manages his work load smartly rather emotionally. Play the meaningfull series and events... leave the zim and other lower tear games for the other squad... dont play every game available... and continue to shine for Pakistan.
 
No. His pace will be back with some good rehab. He is still the leader of the attack even though he hasn't been at his best in this series. It's always good to have bowlers who could bat. Wasim and Steyn are a good examples.
 
reversehook said:
Obv a contribution as such is always welcome... but he was getting pies from tickner who was clueless... coming back to shaheen... his role is not to give us runs... his is to rip havoc through the batting lineup and send shivers down their spines with his pace... so that the other bowlers can carry that momentum through or at the least benefit from it as he is the stud spearhead of our bowling. However, it has become evident through recent times that he has been mismanaged, has had heavy wear and tear and been injured, which i still believe he isnt 100% recovered from yet. And, knee injuries are such that they can pop up or re-aggrevate at any time; thus SSA being reluctant to go full out. Obviously, the kid has heart, is talented to have gotten this far, and as a result we will still see good/decent outings by him here and there. Now in this weakend NZ side he has the luxury to manage his pace and keep it below par and get away with it. But the main queation is, in a worldcup where 200% effort is required, through and through every ball every game, will he be able to give his utmost?

In an interview on tv recently he claimed he is starting to bat as per his wive's request, however, in full strength opposed games, will he consistently get the lollipops he got today or in psl (to be fair he has improved with the bat, but not where you can count on it). This is not how international teams operate, a keeper cant wish to open bowling with stud bowlers around or a batsman ask to keep in presence of a stud keeper nor a bowler in presence of proper/better all rounders compared to him. He (and rest of boys) has been lucky this series enough that the new coaching is starting rightfully so a rotation policy which will prolong their careers.

A lot of folks here need to understand for a fast bowler, knees are the sacred body parts... they can work through stiff body, arms, legs, back etc, recover from such injuries no problem, but the knees, where all your weight goes on them ball in ball out, its not a matter of if, rather a matter of when that knee buckles again... obviously these players have better fitness regime than us fans or non professional players and wont look down and out or as run down as a sunday league player, but it will catch up to them. Look at shoaib akhtar and his knee issues (albeit dif issues on the knee), only could play with the help of injections...

I am not going to speculate on shaheens age, he does look young to me, hence it saddens, and i am hoping he recovers and manages his work load smartly rather emotionally. Play the meaningfull series and events... leave the zim and other lower tear games for the other squad... dont play every game available... and continue to shine for Pakistan.
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He has a good balanced bowling action though. If he had a bowling action like IK, then yes I'd be worried about his knees.

He'll get better hopefully.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My expectations from Shaheen is first to perform with the ball because &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; depends on his early breakthrough, and I know he is working hard on his batting as well and we have seen what he can do. But also I have expectations from Ifti and Shadab to perform on your full potential,… <a href="https://t.co/2iSNvOGW0p">https://t.co/2iSNvOGW0p</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1654887118676606976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My expectations from Shaheen is first to perform with the ball because &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; depends on his early breakthrough, and I know he is working hard on his batting as well and we have seen what he can do. But also I have expectations from Ifti and Shadab to perform on your full potential,… <a href="https://t.co/2iSNvOGW0p">https://t.co/2iSNvOGW0p</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1654887118676606976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Starting to dislike this Dosti Yaari promoter version of Shahid Afridi
 
I don’t mind him playing such kind of innings every now and then like Hasan Ali but he must concentrate on his bowling first , he is already much better than fake allrounder M.wasim
 
Seems Shaheen doing well as an all-rounder!

==

Afridi claimed eight wickets over the course of the series, while his entertaining cameo of 23* in the fourth game helped the left-hander rise eight places to 36th on the list for ODI all-rounders.
 
Tbh, he just needs to bowl at 140 if he is swinging it both ways rather than push himself to the brink for thr extra pace. From what little I have seen of his batting, he cannot be an all rounder, he is just a good hitter down the ground who can score some runs down the order, like a Pat Cummins albeit without a technique as good as Cummins'.
 
Rana said:
Starting to dislike this Dosti Yaari promoter version of Shahid Afridi
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Even though Shaheen is my favourite player and undoubtedly Pakistan's best player, this is so cringe from Shadab.
But what can you expect from someone who's trying to be relevant when he can't deliver with the ball in hand as a spinner?
 
topspin said:
Even though Shaheen is my favourite player and undoubtedly Pakistan's best player, this is so cringe from Shadab.
But what can you expect from someone who's trying to be relevant when he can't deliver with the ball in hand as a spinner?
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Just whacked up a thread about this.
 
In Pakistan, if you can hit a couple of sixes every few matches, people start to think that you are an all rounder. The reality is that Shaheen is a number 11 batsman and nothing more.
 
The_KING said:
In Pakistan, if you can hit a couple of sixes every few matches, people start to think that you are an all rounder. The reality is that Shaheen is a number 11 batsman and nothing more.
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he had training with Afridi and than batted well in a few games of psl
 
What a disgrace. He’s a shadow of the bower he once was. Trundling in and bowing 125 kph thunderbolts that are barely reaching the keeper.

Turned into A joke of a bowler and like I said he’s finished and should retire to save more embarrassment.

Australia is where kph goes higher by a few kph. I mean even Amor used to bow at 150kph on these fast pitchers and then we have our bowlers trundling and bowling 120 kph.

If he doesn’t rediscover his 145kph pace back which I doubt he will he needs to retire looks a shadow of himself
 
The barrier to entry into the all-rounder's column is pretty low in Pakistan. If you manage to average 10+ with the bat or hit a few sixes, your 30+ average in bowling (or vice versa) will be forgiven since you are now an all-rounder according the geniuses in our management.
 
Shaheen by no means is an all-rounder. If he is trying to become one, I will say that he is doing the worst for him. His only sole focus should be to get back to his rhythm where he gets early wickets and sets the tone for other bowlers to come.
 
Shaheen is obviously saving himself for PSL. Expect his pace to go up once the leagues start.
 
No need to be irfan pathan. Should be looking to make himself a bigger brand.
 
His workload management has been absolutely terrible and PCB are to blame. The quality of people sitting in any position of power across the country in any of the institutions has been dismal for decades and the PCB is no exception. At least make sure he doesn't play one of the remaining two tests so that he gets to recuperate.
 
So sad to see his decline

Another Junaid Khan, has never been the same bowler since his injury.
 
redmaverik84 said:
Tbh, he just needs to bowl at 140 if he is swinging it both ways rather than push himself to the brink for thr extra pace. From what little I have seen of his batting, he cannot be an all rounder, he is just a good hitter down the ground who can score some runs down the order, like a Pat Cummins albeit without a technique as good as Cummins'.
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this. he doesnt need 150 pace.
135 to 145. that is perfect range.
 
Overrated Shaheen has become a politician now. He is following in Shahid Afridi's footsteps.
 
zaidihusain said:
His FIL played throughout his 20 year career like that. Sometimes played as a bowler and sometimes as a batsman. His fans never got to know whether he was a bowler or batsman
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True, shahid afridi was an absolute disaster for Pakistan cricket. He averaged 23 with the bat and 35 with the bowl and still remained the most popular cricketer in Pakistan and his fans considered him as the 2nd coming of imran khan
 
He is over trying himself these days to become an all rounder and as a result he will loose his proficiency as a good bowler.

so its better for him to stay focused and work hard on his bowling.
 
His form has been poor since his return from that injury. Either he has not been completely fit or else he might have lost his touch. Whatever it is, he should be worried about it and work on his short-comings.
 
No improvement in his batting. Needless slog when Salman was doing fine.
 
After his knee injury Shaheen has modified his follow through where he is landing his foot across the body. Due to this his bowling is easier to play and pace has dropped from 140kph to 130kph (has lost around 10kph in pace) he has to work very hard and make adjustments to become lethal again.
 
ataullah said:
After his knee injury Shaheen has modified his follow through where he is landing his foot across the body. Due to this his bowling is easier to play and pace has dropped from 140kph to 130kph (has lost around 10kph in pace) he has to work very hard and make adjustments to become lethal again.
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If he is really serious about becoming lethal again then he needs to quit from these mickey mouse leagues.
 
Shaheen is reminding me of Nuwan Zoysa of Srilanka. Similar height, both left handed and same action.
Now they have same pace too. Bowling in low 130’s for the most part. Both can swing the new ball.

Both Zoysa and Shaheen can also hit the long ball coming in at no.9 or 10. Useful batsmen down the order.
 
he has lost pace and is over trying all the time. Should have just rotated strike, there was no need for him to slog
 
Totally finished, guys barely touching 130kph. Trundling in at 75mph. What’s fall from grace. His effort bowls are just about reaching 80.mph shocking

Has absolutely burnt himself to the ground at a mere age of 23.

Soo sad and upsetting to see another world class talent totally kill of his own talent with the pcb to partially blame.

Will sadly have to move on from him he’s not getting his pace back and once you lose it it should normally take you a couple of games or series to discover it but in this case it’s been more than a year.

Needs to retire or get booted out soo frustrating to see him running in and bowling 75mph pies beyond embarrassing. Out fast bowling is alighting stock at the moment.

Saj or someone from here really need to get hold of him or the management and point this out
 
Savak said:
Selectors need to drop him. He needs to be told to rediscover his form and pace if he wants to come back.
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Sadly he won’t he’s been burnt to the ground and he’s finished. Just upset and angry watching your star bowler totally washed up at a mere age of 23 because of mismanagement. He’s trundling in at 75 mph and his effort bowl is barely touch 80mph. What fall from grace from a consistent 145kph bowler to a 125kph trundler. Needs to go
 
We as fans often look at the last few months (and for greats with a long career, the past year or so) as a barometer of how someone is “washed up”, or “overhyped”. However in case of Shaheen, he’s very young still. He has a long career ahead of him and has every chance to become a great of the game. Just to rile up and give it back to some grossly biased posters I say some stuff about these players, I do believe we as fans need to have a long term view and not jump to a difficult conclusion after every series or few. Careers are long and history has plentiful examples of players turning things around. Cheer up!
 
It is a result of bowling those 10 overs in the first session of the match! Your strike bowler has been reduced to a trundler because he has probably not been advised to “go for it” right from the word go and is trying to really carry the load of this attack, and thinks it’s him or bust. Coaching staff needs to chat with him and tell him it’s not just him and he has support.
 
Shaheen has been taken to the cleaners by Marsh here. Getting smashed all around the park. Shaheen needs rest in the next match. No need to play him, he is hopeless.
 
charlie007 said:
It is a result of bowling those 10 overs in the first session of the match! Your strike bowler has been reduced to a trundler because he has probably not been advised to “go for it” right from the word go and is trying to really carry the load of this attack, and thinks it’s him or bust. Coaching staff needs to chat with him and tell him it’s not just him and he has support.
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No i don’t think its just the coaching you can blame. The guy has been serving up atleast 1-2 boundary balls per over since last 1 year. He needs to be dropped. Wasim can do much better than him
 
His state is sad right now but he will bounce back I assure you.

He hasn't really got going after his injury return this year but it sometimes takes quite long to regain rhythm for a fast bowler.

Patience.
 
Only thing shaheen needs is rest for a series. He needs to learn that hs can be replaced soon if he goes out of form.
 
knee injuries like this don't get better unless you are willing to go to top notch experts and a very serious rehab program combined with a nutrition and fitness regimen.

His best days might be behind him.
 
Another Pakistani pacer well on his way to prove why they don't typically last more than 50 tests / 200 wickets.

The last one to achieve such was Waqar Younis decades ago.
 
Pakistani bowlers since Waqar Younis simply cannot reach 50 tests or take 200 wickets.

Looks like Shaheen at 27 tests is soon approaching the end like the rest of them.
 
He at least needs run to do that, but he's about as much of a liability as Faheem Ashraf so far
 
Marooned said:
His state is sad right now but he will bounce back I assure you.

He hasn't really got going after his injury return this year but it sometimes takes quite long to regain rhythm for a fast bowler.

Patience.
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Yes will take him another 10 years to recover and regain his rhythm. In 10 years time he’ll be steaming in at 150 kph.
 
JAV12341 said:
Yes will take him another 10 years to recover and regain his rhythm. In 10 years time he’ll be steaming in at 150 kph.
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It's literally his 1st test match after injury. He hasn't regained his rhythm.

Rabbada trundled at 127-132 k for over a year but did eventually regain his pace.
 
When are we playing Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and West Indies again? The legend will be back taking 7-8 wickets per Test
 
Marooned said:
It's literally his 1st test match after injury. He hasn't regained his rhythm.

Rabbada trundled at 127-132 k for over a year but did eventually regain his pace.
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Some fans are soo delusional. Point in case I have never seen rabada bowl less than 80 mph that’s just is not true.

As for afridi I know it’s a hard fact to digest but he’s finished and like I said no amount of rest will make him recover his speed he’s abused his body and burnt himself to the ground. Will never recover and sadly he’s finished l.
 
JAV12341 said:
Some fans are soo delusional. Point in case I have never seen rabada bowl less than 80 mph that’s just is not true.

As for afridi I know it’s a hard fact to digest but he’s finished and like I said no amount of rest will make him recover his speed he’s abused his body and burnt himself to the ground. Will never recover and sadly he’s finished l.
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Fans like you are just casual fans who like to make loud noise without knowledge. That's why you never saw Rabbada bowl low pace.
 
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