New Delhi: Shaheen Shah Afridi has been given the status of one of the great pacers of Pakistan in recent times. However, his injury in the past Asia Cup caused him to stay out of the tournament.
He, then, returned to the team for the World Cup but after the first game, his form has been put in question.
Former Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis raised questions and said, “This was not the Shaheen that we know. His rythm was not there and it begs the question, has he been picked in the side too early and is he match fit now for such a big tournament?”
“I asked them about his progress and reminded them no matter how much he bowled in the nets but playing in a World Cup match was a totally different situation,” said Waqar.
“I asked them if his rehab was going well then why not try out him in the tri-series instead of waiting for the World Cup.” Akram also agreed and said that Shaheen looked short on match practice against India.
“He didn’t appear to have that zip in his bowling. That is understandable because any fast bowler returning from a knee injury is concerned at first about going flat out. Let’s see how quickly he gains full match fitness,” he continued.
He looked anxious and reluctant to really bend his back and that is natural when you are making a comeback from a knee injury. I just wonder whether he has been rushed back into competitive cricket early,” said the former Test bowler.
