During the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, there are concerns that Pakistan’s star fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, is playing with an injury. Former Pakistan cricket captains, Ramiz Raja and Shoaib Malik, have voiced these concerns. Raja, during commentary in the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match, mentioned that Shaheen is bowling with an injured finger and in pain. Malik, speaking on a local sports channel, expressed worries about Shaheen’s reduced pace and how it impacts Pakistan’s performance against big teams.
Malik urged Shaheen to work with the physio and trainer to understand why he’s unable to bowl at his average speed. The former captain noted that Shaheen’s ability to take wickets with the new ball, especially against strong teams, is a significant asset for Pakistan. Shaheen’s pace used to be consistently higher, but it has decreased since his injury.
In the recent match against Sri Lanka, Shaheen conceded 66 runs in nine overs and took one wicket, which raised concerns about his form. As important matches against teams like Australia, India, and South Africa are on the horizon, there’s a pressing need to address this issue.
Pakistan’s historic win against Sri Lanka in the World Cup marked the highest-ever run chase in the history of ODI World Cups, with Mohammad Rizwan and Abdullah Shafique leading the charge. This victory will boost Pakistan’s confidence ahead of their highly anticipated match against arch-rivals India.
However, the stunning batting display by Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, leading to a massive total of 344 runs, raised questions about Pakistan’s bowling. All eyes will be on Shaheen Afridi and the team management as they aim to address his injury concerns and improve their performance in crucial upcoming matches.
