Tag: Shaheen Afridi

Former Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir has expressed his views on the bowling approach of the national team’s ace pacer Shaheen Afridi, stating that he fails to use his brain effectively.

During the Pakistan Super League (PSL) post-match show, Tanvir stated that while Shaheen possesses every skill, he does not use his intelligence effectively.his brain.

“He has every thing [skills], but He doesn’t use his brain. He does not know when to bowl which delivery,” Tanvir remarked.

When asked who should guide Shaheen Afridi on these issues, Tanvir replied that it ultimately depends on the player himself.

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“Yes, you sit down with your coach to create a general game plan, but the situation on the field can change quickly. Coaches can provide support, but you must respond to the game’s circumstances and adapt your plan as needed.”uation of the game and make your plan b,” he added.

“Shaheen is a wonderful kid; now he has learned outswing as well, but what I think so he is not smart enough and lacks decision-making power,” Tanvir said.

Sohail Tanvir further remarked that one must study the batsman and adopt a counter-strategy; otherwise, they risk being hit all over the park.

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“Over time, you must develop a new strategy. If you cannot counterattack and fail to become smarter, the same situation that is occurring with Shaheen Afridi will happen to you,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that Shaheen Afridi led Lahore Qalandars suffered a crushing defeat against Islamabad United in the PSL 10 opener.

The pacer conceded 38 runs in his quota of four overs and remained wicketless in the match.

The defending champions, Islamabad United, chased down a meagre total of 140, losing two wickets with 14 balls to spare at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

READ: PSL 10: Arafat Minhas hails team spirit after Karachi Kings’ thrilling win

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has recently opened up about his reaction to being removed as the national T20I captain last year.

Shaheen took over as Pakistan’s T20I captain after Babar Azam stepped down following the team’s dismal performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

However, the left-arm pacer was removed from his post in less than six months after his appointment, having led the team in just one T20I series, a five-match series against New Zealand in early 2024.

While speaking to a local sports outlet, Shaheen shared his thoughts on the matter and his continued dedication to the national team.

When asked whether being sacked as captain broke his heart, Shaheen responded with a light-hearted quip, showing his ability to laugh off the situation: “I don’t have a heart these days.”

Despite the disappointment of losing the captaincy, Shaheen expressed pride in having led the national side.

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“I am happy that I was the captain of Pakistan. It was a proud moment,” he said, reflecting on the honor of representing his country in such a significant role.

“You feel proud that you have done something for Pakistan. I am always happy when someone wins the match for Pakistan. Someone has been batting well. I am always proud to represent Pakistan in any field.”

On the subject of his workload management and future with the team, Shaheen Afridi clarified that he has never considered leaving any format so far.

“I have never thought of leaving any cricket format for Pakistan. Ever since I started playing cricket, I have always thought of giving a performance for Pakistan,” he stated.

“God has given me a lot of respect in this. I always want to enjoy playing cricket.”

READ: I have no intentions of being an all-rounder: Shaheen Afridi

Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has brushed aside talks of turning into a full-fledged all-rounder, clarifying that his focus remains firmly on his primary role as a fast bowler.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with a local sports platform ahead of season 10 of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Shaheen opened up about his much-talked-about batting promotions since taking over Qalandars’ captaincy in 2022.

Explaining why he often walks in earlier than expected in pressure situations, Shaheen said it’s a tactical move to protect the senior batters and absorb the early damage himself.

“When I come to bat early, the team is already four to five wickets down at an early stage. I come to bat because the team needs me,” he said.

“I don’t want the main batters of the team to go out there in a difficult situation. I try to go under the pressure and make some quick runs.”

The left-armer stressed that his own wicket isn’t as valuable in such scenarios compared to the experienced batters.

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“If I get out doing that, there’s no importance to my wicket, but if a senior batter went out in that situation, the team would be under pressure,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi believes this approach can create a shift in momentum and put the opposition under pressure.

“I try to handle the pressure for the team. If we get some runs, the pressure on the other team will increase,” he said.

While Shaheen’s cameos with the bat have drawn attention, he made it clear that he has no plans of rebranding himself as an all-rounder.

“I don’t have any such intention of being an all-rounder. My job is to bowl and then bat,” he concluded.

It’s worth noting that PSL 10 will begin on Friday, April 11, with defending champions Islamabad United taking on Lahore Qalandars in the tournament opener at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

READ: Mohammad Nabi joins Karachi Kings ahead of PSL 10

Pakistan’s former pacer Mohammad Asif has offered a piece of advice for the fast bowling duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

While speaking on a private TV channel, Asif stated that Shaheen was not bowling from the same release point he had used when he first joined the team.

“Shaheen is not bowling from the same release point he used when he first joined the team,” he said.

He emphasized that small mistakes could impede a bowler’s journey to becoming a leading wicket-taker.

“Small mistakes can hinder a bowler’s path to becoming a leading wicket-taker,” he added.

He highlighted Shaheen’s inability to bowl inswing deliveries to right-hand batters, suggesting that it can make it challenging for him to maintain a long career.

“If you cannot swing the ball back in, it can become difficult to sustain a long career,” he observed.

Mohammad Asif pointed out that many successful left-arm bowlers have had lethal inswing and enjoyed lengthy careers.

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“Shaheen once possessed this ability, but he seems to have lost it over time,” Asif said.

Regarding his ability to bowl inswinging deliveries, Asif said he should return to his basics.

“Shaheen should focus on his basics, and coaches should guide him in this process,” he stated.

The pacer also addressed Haris Rauf’s bowling form and the problems with his line and length.

“Haris’s problem is that he bowls short of length, which does not allow the ball to swing effectively,” he observed.

Asif recommended that Haris should change his line and length, explaining that despite bowling at very good speed, his current strategy does not challenge batters.

“Haris should change his line and length. His current line and length does not challenge batters.”

“No matter, if you bowl at 160 kph without swing, batters will take you apart, ” he concluded.

For the unversed, Pakistan’s pace bowling trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah have struggled recently.

The above-mentioned fast bowlers could not perform according to the expectations in the recently concluded ICC Champions Trophy 2025, resulting in the Men in Green’s early exit from the tournament.

READ: PCB dismisses reports about Champions Trophy 2025 financial loss

DUBAI: The Pakistan cricket team’s struggles in the ongoing T20I series against New Zealand have been reflected in the latest ICC T20I rankings, with key players—including Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf—experiencing major shifts.

In the ICC T20I Batting rankings, former captain Babar Azam, who is not part of the current squad, has dropped one place to eighth with 702 points.

Meanwhile, white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan has managed to retain his ninth position, while young left-hander Saim Ayub has slipped three places to 62nd with 473 points.

Australia’s Travis Head continues to lead the T20I batting rankings, followed by India’s Abhishek Sharma and England’s Phil Salt.

New Zealand’s Tim Seifert and Finn Allen, both of whom have been in good form, have made significant gains—Seifert has jumped 20 places to 13th, while Allen has climbed eight spots to 18th.

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On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi, who went wicketless in two matches against New Zealand, has dropped six places to 29th with 575 points in the ICC T20I Bowling rankings.

His fellow pacer, Haris Rauf, who missed the first T20I but picked up two wickets in the second, has climbed four spots to 26th with 586 points.

Among other Pakistani bowlers, Abbas Afridi, yet to feature in the series, has fallen three places to 44th, while Naseem Shah has slipped two spots to 78th.

Vice-captain Shadab Khan, who made his return in this series, has seen a steep drop of 10 places, now sitting at 82nd in the rankings.

At the top, West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein continues to lead the T20I bowling rankings, followed by India’s Varun Chakaravarthy and England’s Adil Rashid.

READ: Shan Masood signs all-format deal with Leicestershire

Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has thrown his support behind senior pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, emphasizing their importance in the team’s quest for success in the five-match series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence tomorrow.

Shaheen and Haris have been under fire lately due to their below-par performances in Pakistan’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

Consequently, they lost their place in the ODI squad for New Zealand, however, they were named in the T20I squad.

Salman Ali Agha, during the press conference ahead of the first T20I in Christchurch, acknowledged the recent form fluctuations of the experienced duo but remained confident in their ability to step up for Pakistan.

“Shaheen and Haris have been outstanding bowlers for Pakistan. Yes, form and performances go up and down in every cricketer’s career, but I believe both of them have a key role to play in this series,” he stated.

The 31-year-old, leading a relatively young squad, emphasized that the team is not in New Zealand just to experiment but to win.

“Fans are disappointed because we haven’t played the kind of cricket they expect from us. In fact, we haven’t even played the way we expect from ourselves. But just because we have a young side doesn’t mean it’s not a strong one. We are here to win,” Salman asserted.

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Pakistan’s squad for the series has seen some significant changes, with several senior players being rested.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been key to Pakistan’s T20I setup for years, are not part of the squad as the selectors aim to test new combinations. Salman admitted that their absence is notable but stressed the importance of looking forward.

“There is no doubt that Babar and Rizwan have been exceptional for Pakistan, but for this series, we are trying to build a new combination,” he added.

“Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub will also be missed—they are match-winners on their day. But, Alhamdulillah, their injury progress is positive, and hopefully, they will return for the next series.”

The Pakistan captain further explained that the team is focused on long-term goals, including the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

“This series, and the ones coming up, are all part of our preparation for these major tournaments. We want to form a strong squad that can compete at the highest level in the coming years,” Salman remarked.

Pakistan T20I squad for New Zealand tour

T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan (wk)

READ: Saud Shakeel stars as Karachi Whites start National T20 Cup campaign on winning note

DUBAI: Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan as well as pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi suffered a steep decline in the latest ICC ODI Rankings released on Wednesday.

Pakistan entered the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as defending champions, however, they crashed out in the group stage after consecutive defeats against New Zealand and India.

Shaheen Shah Afridi bagged a mere two wickets in two games at a disastrous average of 71 and his economy rate was 7.88.

Consequently, he dropped five places and is now sitting in ninth place in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. His fellow pacer Haris Rauf also dropped six places to 22nd spot after taking two wickets at an average of 67.50.

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On the other hand, pacer Naseem Shah and spinner Abrar Ahmed, who also managed two wickets each so far, enjoyed gains in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings. Naseem made a two-place gain to reach 42nd, while Abrar made a massive 26-place jump to 49th place.

In the ICC ODI Batting Rankings, Mohammad Rizwan dropped four places to 20th after scoring 49 runs in two outings at a strike rate of 53.84. Meanwhile, Babar Azam held on to his second spot with 770 rating points after he managed 87 runs in two games.

Moreover, Indian superstar Virat Kohli has moved back inside the top five on the list for ODI batters following his 51st ODI century in the Champions Trophy clash against Pakistan.

With Kohli sitting in fifth spot, three players from India occupy spots inside the top five, with opener Shubman Gill (first) and skipper Rohit Sharma (third) maintaining their places at the top of the batting rankings.

READ: Axar Patel reveals the strategy behind Imam-ul-Haq’s run-out

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez lashed out at pacers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah over their recent struggles in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Pakistan suffered a crushing six-wicket defeat on Sunday against the arch-rivals India, leaving their title defence hanging by a thread.

While batting first, Pakistan managed a modest 241 before getting bowled out in the final over. In reply, India cruised to victory with 45 balls to spare, thanks to a masterclass from Virat Kohli, who notched up a brilliant century.

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After the match, Mohammad Hafeez called for major changes in Pakistan’s bowling attack, highlighting the recent failures of fast bowlers.

“The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf failed to deliver in the 2023 Asia Cup, 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and now in the Champions Trophy 2025,” Hafeez said.

“It’s time to acknowledge that, despite their talent, they haven’t proven themselves capable of winning big tournaments for Pakistan.

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“Let’s move on and give opportunities to other bowlers like Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, and Mir Hamza. These players are waiting for their chances—they are also Pakistani, and they deserve an opportunity.”

Mohammad Hafeez also drew comparisons between Babar Azam and former great Inzamam-ul-Haq. He pointed out that Babar has failed to produce a match-winning performance against India in a decade-long career.

“Inzamam bhai used to win matches for Pakistan in tough conditions. Babar Azam has not been able to win a single game against India after playing for 10 years,” Hafeez remarked.

READ: ‘Can’t have five genuine bowlers in ODIs’: Rizwan defends Pakistan’s team selection

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi named fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as the leading wicket-taker in the highly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash at the much-awaited ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Afridi revealed the name in a panel of former Indian and Pakistani cricketers put together by the well-known Indian sports channel in the run-up to the highly anticipated match between Pakistan and India.

The star-studded panel featured Indian greats Yuvraj Singh and Navjot Singh Sidhu alongside former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

The panel answered six burning questions regarding the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 high-octane match.

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While answering the leading-wicket-taker question, Shahid Afridi expressed confidence in Shaheen Shah Afridi’s abilities. At the same time, Inzamam-ul-Haq favoured Haris Rauf to emerge as the highest wicket-taker in the high-voltage match.

Yuvraj Singh backed India’s Mohammed Shami to claim the top spot, while Navjot Singh Sidhu suggested an Indian spinner would lead in wickets.

The former power hitter’s endorsement of Shaheen is rooted in the young pacer’s impressive track record and rapid ascent in international cricket.

Since his debut in 2018, Shaheen has consistently delivered standout performances across all formats. His most memorable spell against the archrivals came in the 2021 T20 World Cup when his 3 for 31 dismantled the Indian batting lineup.

Shahid Afridi further addressed the high-voltage contest between Pakistan and India, emphasizing that attitude and body language will play a crucial role in determining the winner of a match.

He reflected on the 2011 World Cup semifinal, noting that the team’s confidence is essential in overcoming opponents.

“We thought we had won. But after our first wicket fell, and seeing India’s body language in the field, I sensed from the dugout that we might struggle to chase the target. It’s all about confidence and how you overpower the other team,” he said.

READ: Champions Trophy 2025 electrifying opening ceremony kicks off in Lahore

KARACHI: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi opened up after his heated argument with South African opener Matthew Breetzke during the tri-nation series match at National Bank Stadium on Wednesday.

Pakistan defeated South Africa by six wickets, courtesy of captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha’s centuries, to qualify for the tri-nation series final against New Zealand.

However, the first innings of the match witnessed some heated moments, which resulted in Pakistan players getting penalised.

During the 28th over of South Africa’s innings, Shaheen Afridi deliberately obstructed batter Matthew Breetzke as he ran a single, resulting in physical contact and a heated exchange between the two players.

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While speaking in an interview, Shaheen accepted that he had teased the opener to unsettle him and take his wicket. He further explained that what happened between them remained exclusively on the field.

“For the first time, Matthew didn’t say anything. I kept teasing him to get a wicket. Whatever happened on the field stayed there,” said Shaheen.

He further stated that after the game, both players shook hands, and everything settled.

“After the match, Matthew and I met, shook hands, and became good friends,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention here that the fast bowler was fined 25 percent of his match fee for breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC’s Code of Conduct, which pertains to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator) during an International Match.

Meanwhile, his teammates Saud Shakeel and substitute fielder Kamran Ghulam were fined 10 percent of their match fees for celebrating too closely to South African captain Temba Bavuma following his run-out in the 29th over.

READ: Pakistan trio fined for breaching ICC Code of Conduct in South Africa clash