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The limitations of Shaheen Shah Afridi

An absolute champ. Have backed him since day 1 - never disappoints. Form is temporary but class is permanent indeed.
 
Junaids said:
He now has 72 wickets at 26.06.

In contrast, Mitchell Starc’s Test average - bowling on faster, bouncier tracks - is 27.57.

Mitchell Johnson took 313 wickets at 28.40.

Trent Boult has 292 wickets at 27.67.

Neil Wagner has 229 wickets at 26.40.

(By way of comparison, Shoaib Akhtar played Tests for a decade and only ended up with 178 wickets at 25.69.)

Shaheen Shah Afridi is a genuine world class talent.

I don’t think he will ever be as good as Starc with a white or pink ball. But he’s already better with a red ball than Starc ever has been.
Click to expand...

His avg against

Australia 36.80

NZ 43.77

England 51

Avg against

Zim 16
BD 18
WI 11

Avg against

SL 23
SA 27

He is nowhere near the bowlers you mentioned.
 
cricketjoshila said:
Shaheen is a good bowler but not as good as you make him out.

His avg against

Australia 36.80

NZ 43.77

England 51

Avg against

Zim 16
BD 18
WI 11

Avg against

SL 23
SA 27

He is nowhere near the bowlers you mentioned.
Click to expand...
The guy is 21 years old.

And he’s already a superior Test bowler to everyone else I listed.
 
Rana said:
This is why I think Pakistan were right to back Naseem Shah and they should continue to let him develop under Hassan, Shaheen and Nauman. With time, he will become a potent wicket taker too.

I think the issue in New Zealand was that the bowlers around Naseem were not helping considering their lack to penetrate the opponent.
Click to expand...

Naseem is too raw and honestly he doesn't have as much going in his favour as Shaheen has.

Shaheen is a tall lad, pitches the ball up and swings it and is decently accurate. There's a lot more upside to Shaheen than Naseem who's short, inaccurate and bowls too short. He can develop, but domestic cricket is the place to do that and not in Test cricket.
 
Shaheen is the future of fast-bowling period.

When he reaches his peak, no one will be able to touch him.

Highly bumpable tread this. Particularly the comment that he "doesn't use his brain" while bowling or bowls like a "bowling machine". A comment that was as false a couple of months ago, as it is today.
 
The reason I'm excited about Shaheen is because of the following. Fast bowling generally requires the following attributes to be successful -

1. High accuracy.
2. Ability to move the ball sideways
3. Brisk pace (~140ks or above)
4. Tall height (& preferably high arm action) so as to extract bounce off good length
5. Bowling intelligence (ability to find the correct length for different pitches)

Obviously these things aren't obligatory and there are bowlers who have succeeded even if they were lacking in some attributes. Prime example is the GOAT test pacer - Malcolm Marshall who was relatively short to his compatriots and was skiddy as well, still tormented the batsmen by bowling fast and swinging the ball. Anderson lacks in pace but has great ability to move the ball, accuracy and excellent bowling intelligence. Asif was very similar too. Akhtar perhaps wasn't always the most accurate but he made up for it with his extreme speed. Bumrah's special ability is his great accuracy and bowling intelligence apart from his brisk pace too. Morne Morkel was a great example of the tall bowler with high arm action who got bounce off length (Garner, Ambrose before him).

The reason I'm excited about Shaheen is because he ticks many of these boxes at just 21 years of age. He is tall, swings the ball and at very good pace. Perhaps he can improve on his accuracy and bowling intelligence but that comes with maturity and experience. Ishant and Shami weren't as good 5 years back as they are right now. Unlike Bumrah and Siraj who both have looked like Test veterans right from their debut, Ishant and Shami took their time in developing into the versions they're right now. I mean, Ishant was a meme bowler for a long time. So the fact that Shaheen is able to do this at 21 is very commendable. Of course his record is not perfect, but I imagine he would correct it as he matures into a better bowler with experience. He has a huge upside and has all the attributes that you'd expect in a fast bowler.

Like I said, he can easily end his career as Pakistan's best bowler since Akram. Obviously comes with the disclaimer that he doesn't do anything stupid and spoil his career like his seniors.
 
street cricketer said:
The reason I'm excited about Shaheen is because of the following. Fast bowling generally requires the following attributes to be successful -

1. High accuracy.
2. Ability to move the ball sideways
3. Brisk pace (~140ks or above)
4. Tall height (& preferably high arm action) so as to extract bounce off good length
5. Bowling intelligence (ability to find the correct length for different pitches)

Obviously these things aren't obligatory and there are bowlers who have succeeded even if they were lacking in some attributes. Prime example is the GOAT test pacer - Malcolm Marshall who was relatively short to his compatriots and was skiddy as well, still tormented the batsmen by bowling fast and swinging the ball. Anderson lacks in pace but has great ability to move the ball, accuracy and excellent bowling intelligence. Asif was very similar too. Akhtar perhaps wasn't always the most accurate but he made up for it with his extreme speed. Bumrah's special ability is his great accuracy and bowling intelligence apart from his brisk pace too. Morne Morkel was a great example of the tall bowler with high arm action who got bounce off length (Garner, Ambrose before him).

The reason I'm excited about Shaheen is because he ticks many of these boxes at just 21 years of age. He is tall, swings the ball and at very good pace. Perhaps he can improve on his accuracy and bowling intelligence but that comes with maturity and experience. Ishant and Shami weren't as good 5 years back as they are right now. Unlike Bumrah and Siraj who both have looked like Test veterans right from their debut, Ishant and Shami took their time in developing into the versions they're right now. I mean, Ishant was a meme bowler for a long time. So the fact that Shaheen is able to do this at 21 is very commendable. Of course his record is not perfect, but I imagine he would correct it as he matures into a better bowler with experience. He has a huge upside and has all the attributes that you'd expect in a fast bowler.

Like I said, he can easily end his career as Pakistan's best bowler since Akram. Obviously comes with the disclaimer that he doesn't do anything stupid and spoil his career like his seniors.
Click to expand...

I can't wait for another generational talent to prop up and then we can have a Wasim/Waqar style duo. I have my hopes pinned on the upcoming QEA, where they should play Naseem, Dhani, Arshad, Akif, Waseem and Hasnain. There's a good likelihood that at least one of them may rise to the occasion like Shaheen and we'll have an explosive pace attack. They may take Waseem and Hasnain to the T20 world cup but the rest are exciting prospects nonetheless. Naseem Shah has his pace back and is working incredibly hard on honing his skills. My money is on him.
 
Slim said:
An absolute champ. Have backed him since day 1 - never disappoints. Form is temporary but class is permanent indeed.
Click to expand...

He’s young yes but so far he’s shown little against the best teams watch him go back to 1-60 2-90 spells against them that’s why we are mediocre we hype up performances against low ranked teams as something special.
 
An excellent bowler.. could have an illustrious career if his workload is managed properly.. also, I think he could use a new hair style
 
Cric1234 said:
He’s young yes but so far he’s shown little against the best teams watch him go back to 1-60 2-90 spells against them that’s why we are mediocre we hype up performances against low ranked teams as something special.
Click to expand...

It's difficult being the lone quality act in the bowling show. Batsmen can direct all their mental energy into just seeing him off. If he gets some support of being able to bowl in partnerships vs the better teams, he might start to have more success.

It's plain to see he is a class bowler. He hasn't had a lot of overseas experience yet but has done well in SA (tick) and ok in Australia- which can be graveyard, his average was respectable and he went for 2.8 runs per over. He held his own out here. He can build on that.
 
He could become even better if he gets better bowling support from the other side. Only Hasan provides him support and he's just returned earlier this year.

I think going forward Test format will become his strongest format but he can become a very good impact bowler in ODIs. T20is I would say may not really be his format and that's totally fine.

Ijust hope he learns reverse swing, the left swinger, reading the batters and becoming less slippery with the new ball. I think spending some time with Steyn would help him massively.

He once famously said to be a successful test pacer, you need to bowl the outswinger at good pace and have a good bouncer.
 
Guardian said:
I can't wait for another generational talent to prop up and then we can have a Wasim/Waqar style duo. I have my hopes pinned on the upcoming QEA, where they should play Naseem, Dhani, Arshad, Akif, Waseem and Hasnain. There's a good likelihood that at least one of them may rise to the occasion like Shaheen and we'll have an explosive pace attack. They may take Waseem and Hasnain to the T20 world cup but the rest are exciting prospects nonetheless. Naseem Shah has his pace back and is working incredibly hard on honing his skills. My money is on him.
Click to expand...

Sameen gul could be that bowler. And is test debut is overdue
 
Always look at the wickets package when a bowler picks up a fifer. The variety of balls with which he dismissed batsmen:
In cutter to lefty powell creating an angle from wide of the crease.
In swing to righty brathwaite from close to the wickets.
Ball leaving alzarri after pitching from over the wicket.
Bouncer to blackwood
Around the wicket pitched up ball leaving holder.
And a slower one.

Very promising signs
 
Thought he looked outstanding from the first time i have seen him bowl.
Will be world class for many years to come.
Can he move the ball both ways at will now?
I remember he could only bring the ball into the right hander (might have got this wrong).
 
Ahmed216 said:
Always look at the wickets package when a bowler picks up a fifer. The variety of balls with which he dismissed batsmen:
In cutter to lefty powell creating an angle from wide of the crease.
In swing to righty brathwaite from close to the wickets.
Ball leaving alzarri after pitching from over the wicket.
Bouncer to blackwood
Around the wicket pitched up ball leaving holder.
And a slower one.

Very promising signs
Click to expand...

Only thing you would say is he's working damn hard for his wickets. At Boult, Warne, McGrath level your stock ball still takes the main share of wickets.
 
He is relentless. Gives his all in every single delivery. Doesn't even slow up or shows signs of fatigue even when he is bowling more than everyone else. A bit like Peter Siddle and Wagner.
 
Shaheen Shah Afridi's bowling figures in the last 5 Test innings:

4-43
6-51
4-50
4-59
5-52
 
Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 2nd Test versus West Indies:

6-51 which are his best Test figures
10-94 which are his best match figures in a Test match
 
Certainly looks like Shaheen & Hasan will be the 1-2 punch in Tests if they both stay healthy.

Heck of a job by Shaheen and he is really on his way to being a beast in all formats. Please keep his workload in check PCB.
 
His overall figures across the 2 matches was 18/203.

Average of 11.28.

Back to his best!
 
seroiusly for his sake i hope he doesnt play bilateral odis and t20s, let him earn a living from t20 leagues and keep most of his international workload focused around tests and tournaments.
 
Shaheen's 18 wickets is the most by a Pakistani fast bowler in a 2-match Test series.
 
Shaheen was a giant and if it was a 3 match series, he would have had more wickets and gained more experience.
 
ElRaja said:
seroiusly for his sake i hope he doesnt play bilateral odis and t20s, let him earn a living from t20 leagues and keep most of his international workload focused around tests and tournaments.
Click to expand...

I think no more T20is unless it’s international wc or franchise cricket where he can earn more money

ODI wickets are a big deal IMO
 
I think that even against the harder teams like England, NZ and Australia away from home SSA should now have enough confidence to pick up a couple of wickets at the start with the new ball....toil hard in the middle against the good middle order bats, maybe pick up one of them during a burst spell and then come back to clean up the tail.

He can easily aim for 3-5 wickets per test if not more. Just needs to stay fit and focused.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sometimes this Kid surprises me!! Quick Learner and very easy to work with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LearningFromEachOther?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LearningFromEachOther</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheRealPCB</a> <a href="https://t.co/WjKboUDd7W">pic.twitter.com/WjKboUDd7W</a></p>— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) <a href="https://twitter.com/waqyounis99/status/1430523003926896641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Cric1234 said:
He’s young yes but so far he’s shown little against the best teams watch him go back to 1-60 2-90 spells against them that’s why we are mediocre we hype up performances against low ranked teams as something special.
Click to expand...

I no this is was a different format but did you watch his bowling in the world cup 2019
 
street cricketer said:
I think he's going to end his career as Pakistan's best bowler since the 2 Ws.
Click to expand...

street cricketer said:
The reason I'm excited about Shaheen is because of the following. Fast bowling generally requires the following attributes to be successful -

1. High accuracy.
2. Ability to move the ball sideways
3. Brisk pace (~140ks or above)
4. Tall height (& preferably high arm action) so as to extract bounce off good length
5. Bowling intelligence (ability to find the correct length for different pitches)

Obviously these things aren't obligatory and there are bowlers who have succeeded even if they were lacking in some attributes. Prime example is the GOAT test pacer - Malcolm Marshall who was relatively short to his compatriots and was skiddy as well, still tormented the batsmen by bowling fast and swinging the ball. Anderson lacks in pace but has great ability to move the ball, accuracy and excellent bowling intelligence. Asif was very similar too. Akhtar perhaps wasn't always the most accurate but he made up for it with his extreme speed. Bumrah's special ability is his great accuracy and bowling intelligence apart from his brisk pace too. Morne Morkel was a great example of the tall bowler with high arm action who got bounce off length (Garner, Ambrose before him).

The reason I'm excited about Shaheen is because he ticks many of these boxes at just 21 years of age. He is tall, swings the ball and at very good pace. Perhaps he can improve on his accuracy and bowling intelligence but that comes with maturity and experience. Ishant and Shami weren't as good 5 years back as they are right now. Unlike Bumrah and Siraj who both have looked like Test veterans right from their debut, Ishant and Shami took their time in developing into the versions they're right now. I mean, Ishant was a meme bowler for a long time. So the fact that Shaheen is able to do this at 21 is very commendable. Of course his record is not perfect, but I imagine he would correct it as he matures into a better bowler with experience. He has a huge upside and has all the attributes that you'd expect in a fast bowler.

Like I said, he can easily end his career as Pakistan's best bowler since Akram. Obviously comes with the disclaimer that he doesn't do anything stupid and spoil his career like his seniors.
Click to expand...

Told you.

Some posts in the first page are a bit silly:narine
 
Better than Amir. He is quality and skill wise one of the best bowler of this generation.
 
people seem to forget how you shaheen is, yes hes got to improve some aspects of his game. However in the white ball format hes someone who regular takes wickets in PowerPlay which will help pakistan always compete.
 
Wow. A match winning 3fer against India in a world cup game!! Better than so many useless 6fers/7fers I have seen!
[MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] Shaheen is the real deal! He is nicely evolving his game in all three formats.

InshaAllah he will end his career as a bona fide great of the game.
 
Literally given me a sleepless night. Lemme share the pain.

<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/bqi6ss?loop=0" width="560" height="350" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
I said this when I first saw him. This lad is gonna be the greatest Pakistani fast bowler of all time. More so than Imran and the 2 W's. It's an extremely bold call but there was just something about him apart from that natural ability.

It's just rare to see a genuine fast bowler who is so well put together mentally at such a young age.
 
pillionrider said:
Literally given me a sleepless night. Lemme share the pain.

<iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/bqi6ss?loop=0" width="560" height="350" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Click to expand...

About 4 years ago, he was being destroyed by Shaw and Gill in the u19 World Cup.

Today he has taken the big wickets of Rohit, KL and Kohli in a mens World Cup match! What a journey!
 
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