Good analysis. This is something alot of people have said ever since he came back from injury. That he is holding back to protect his knee. On one hand I can understand it, on the other hand it's just sad to see. He had everything it took to be a generational talent prior to his injury. Now he looks like a shadow of his former self even when he is taking wickets.
He is doing well because of his experience now.
Without a doubt he has bowled well in this series. But the standards that Shaheen set when he came onto the scene were so high that his current performances pale in comparison. At the end of the day, he is simply not the same bowler he was that was in the conversation with guys like Bumrah, Cummins, Rabada as one of the best fast-bowlers in the world. A guy who was almost guaranteed to provide you with a wicket in his first over. The most amazing thing was that the batters would know that it was going to be a fast, swinging yorker on their pads and he would still get their wicket.
But yes, you are completely right about the healing part. This guy has played alot of cricket in the past couple of years. Alot of unnecessary matches too like meaningless bilateral T20s against minnows and the C teams of other countries. Even after the injury he sustained in the T20 WC final he was rushed back.
Bro, this board wasn't even willing to pay for his hotel room and plane ticket when he got injured. They are just a bunch of nepo hire fat cats trying to hold on to their jobs and fill their coffers. They neither care about our cricket, nor fully understand it. I am actually less willing to blame players here because if there was actually a plan in place, you could say something. But there is no plan or vision here.
This is exactly what Abdul Rauf said on his video
His jump and action reminds me of Zaheer Khan.
I saw the wickets but did he not look the part?
This more of a general comment rather than a comment at today's performance. To be clear, I am not criticizing him. I just think he is not the same bowler that was prior to his injury, who seemed destined for greatness.
yeah he needs a break of at least 10 years lol
Hes still taking wickets.
As I said this is the same analysis as Abdul rauf’s video verbatim.
The world used is rested. No fast bowler is playing all 3 series
“Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad is a strategic decision to ensure he remains physically and mentally fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025" aaqib javed
That statement says he has been rested. Where are you getting dropped?
fresh for ICC champions trophy. It gives me a vibe that Shaheen is not gonna be in the plans for test team anytime soon.
Thats maybe your theory, but when player is dropped then it’s usually mentioned as such.
Yeah whatever. I am happy with him being rested/dropped.
Which Shaheen is not at the moment what he can do right now Mir Hamza can do the same with more stamina .
I think Shaheen is not in the plans for red ball team anytime soon.
Not in Pakistan. Senior players are always rested.
No point of height if you aren't accurate. Mir Hamza is more or less the same pace, moves the ball more, and is way more accurate and intelligent as a bowler.
He's not in category A
Not necessarily. Babar and Naseem were purported to be “dropped” by sensational media, but they are back in test squad.
Rested in international series for what? To play in all the poor-standard TikTok leagues around the globe?
How long does he want to prolong a career for
He is past his best. He actually seems to bowl better with the slightly older ball these days.
Against Australia B and South Africa B in (meaningless) warmup bilateral series.
