Shaheen Shah Afridi – The best star in the making?

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been one of the best prominent figures in Pakistan cricket team since he first débuted on April 3, 2018. Steadily he is getting better and more vital to Pakistan’s cricket future. In this context, the following points depicts why Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should give special attention to this youngster:

Player of the day – Shaheen Shah Afridi best bowling

Age

Shaheen Shah Afridi could become one of the best bowlers in the world. — Pakistan’s bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi (R) celebrates after taking the wicket of Bangladesh’s Mominul Haque during the fourth day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on February 10, 2020. (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI / AFP) (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Born on 6 April, 2000 he is only older than Naseem Shah and Musa Khan whom are yet to establish their position in Pakistan’s cricket team. Currently being less than 21 years of age, Shaheen Shah Afridi has become an essential component of Pakistan cricket team. Considering average fast bowler’s age to be around 34 or 35, he still has at least 13 to 14 years of career ahead of him.

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Shaheen Shah Afridi could become one of Pakistan’s best bowlers of all-time.

A rare gem and talent.

Shaheen Afridi best bowling PSL

Shaheen Shah Afridi Best – Part of all formats

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 01: Wahab Riaz of Pakistan celebrates with Babar Azam after taking the wicket of Moeen Ali of England during the 3rd Vitality International Twenty20 match between England and Pakistan at Emirates Old Trafford on September 01, 2020 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

With Muhammad Amir and Wahab Riaz’s bidding farewell to the Test cricket, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s presence becomes even more crucial. Except from Amir and Wahab, no other fast bowler has been able to establish himself in all the three formats.

Hassan Ali is another potential candidate, however he has been out of the side due to his back injury. Shaheen Shah Afridi on the other hand is a permanent appearing figure in all the formats and he has been at his best in the last two years.

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New Ball Bowler

Shaheen Shah Afridi was at his best against Bangladesh in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. — LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan celebrates after taking the wicket of Mustafizur Rahman of Bangladesh during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Pakistan and Bangladesh at Lords on July 05, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

While Muhammad Abbas leads Pakistan’s bowling attack in test and Muhammad Amir in one-days and T20s, Shaheen Shah Afridi is the dominant choice for the opening bowling pair for Pakistan along with these bowlers. Moreover, his height of 6 feet and 6 inch along with his ability to ball around 90mph gives his bowling an extra edge.

Shaheen Afridi best bowling Pakistan v Afghanistan

Shaheen Shah Afridi – Best Performances

The Pakistan Squad at the Cricket World Cup 2019 — LEEDS, ENGLAND – JUNE 29: Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Gulbadin Naib of Afghanistan during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Headingley on June 29, 2019 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)

The reason for his eminence in such a short duration of two years and few months has been because of his exceptional performances in various formats. Few of them are mentioned below:

Three wickets against Australia just in his 2^nd T20 after his debut.
Back to back 4 wickets take in his 4^th and 5^th ODI game against New Zealand.
Sound performance in the World Cup 2019 especially against Bangladesh where he took 6 wickets and was the only bowler from Pakistan who was awarded player of the match award in the 2019 World Cup.
Four wickets in four balls against Middlesex in Vitality Blast. In this game, he took 6 wickets overall.
Recently he took five wicket haul twice out of the four games he played in national T20 cup in Pakistan.

Summary

Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram successfully appeals for a catch behind the wicket to dismiss England batsman Ian Botham who is out for 0 during the World Cup Final between Pakistan and England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 25th March 1992. Pakistan won by 22 runs. (Photo by David Munden/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Pakistan is known for its fast bowlers. Imran, Waqar, Waseem, Shoaib, Amir, Asif and many more, each decade has seen arrival of exceptional fast bowlers to the international cricket from Pakistan.

While Naseem Shah and Muhammad Husnain do look promising, Shaheen Shah Afridi due to his exceptional performances and ample talent looks to be the bowler leading the fast bowling department in the next generation Pakistani cricket side.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of the best bowlers that Pakistan has. He could well go on to dominate. Shaheen has the ability to thrive in all three formats.

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