The pace attack is often the backbone of a team’s defense. Shaheen Shah Afridi, once a formidable force, has been facing scrutiny for his recent performances. The first test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth brought forth a concerning display, leaving many questioning the reasons behind Shaheen’s dip in form. Former Pakistani fast bowler and head coach, Waqar Younis, recently spoke out about his apprehensions, shedding light on the potential issues plaguing Afridi’s game.
Waqar Younis, renowned for his lethal pace during his playing days, expressed his perplexity over Shaheen Shah Afridi’s current struggles. Younis emphasised Afridi’s significant drop in pace, citing concerns about the implications it may have on his ability to take wickets.
Younis raised the critical question of Afridi’s fitness and whether any underlying issues might be hindering his performance. In a straightforward manner, he suggested that if the young pacer is not in optimal condition, stepping away from the game temporarily to address these concerns is imperative. Younis warned that persisting in such a state could result in Afridi losing the remarkable pace that once made him a formidable force on the field.
Waqar Younis Breaks Silence On Shaheen Shah Afridi’s Form
Delving into the past, Younis reminisced about Afridi’s heyday when he consistently bowled at a brisk pace of 145-150kph. The ability to swing the ball complemented his express pace, making him a constant threat to opposing batsmen. However, Younis expressed disappointment in the observed decline in Afridi’s pace, even though there’s still a hint of the signature swing.
The essence of Younis’ concern lies in the potential consequences for Afridi’s wicket-taking ability. While swing remains a valuable asset, the decrease in pace may render him less effective in breaking through the opposition’s defenses. Younis painted a picture of a potential transformation into a medium-pacer, a fate that could diminish Afridi’s impact on the game.
He said: “I’m not really sure what’s wrong with him. If he’s not fit, if he’s got some issues, he needs to go away from the game and fix that because if you are going to carry on like that you are going to become a medium-pacer. He used to bowl 145-150kph and used to swing that ball. What I’m seeing now, yes there’s a little bit of swing but his pace is way down… and that is not going to get him wickets.”
