WATCH: “Shaheen Afridi is not Wasim Akram,” Ravi Shastri brutally slams Shaheen Afridi after ordinary performance against India
Shastri said Shaheen is not the legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram, urging the fans to stop overhyping him.
Ravi Shastri, Shaheen Afridi (Images via Getty, ESPNcricinfo)
Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi became a target of brutal criticism after his not-so-impressive performance in this World Cup. After scalping only two wickets in Pakistan’s first two games, against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Ravi Shastri, who is a commentator for Star Sports, did not mince his words while criticizing the pacer.
Shastri said Shaheen is not the legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram, urging the fans to stop overhyping him. The 1983 World Cup winner urged Shaheen’s supporters to admit that although the pacer is a good bowler, he has not become a great one yet.
“Shaheen Afridi is not Wasim Akram. He’s a good bowler, but there is no need for us to hype him so highly as well. If a player is simply a good player, we should restrict our praise to saying he is a good player. He’s not a great player, we need to admit that,” Shastri said while commentating for Star Sports in the Hindi commentary box during India’s match against Pakistan.
Watch the video here:
Shaheen Afridi scalped two wickets against India
Though Shaheen Afridi dismissed Shubman Gill in the third over, he couldn’t save himself from Rohit Sharma who took him to the cleaners. The Indian skipper’s onslaught ensured India chased down 192 runs without breaking much sweat, helping India to beat Pakistan for the eighth time in the ODI World Cup.
However, the Indian captain was denied a memorable century when Shaheen stopped him in the 22nd over. A slower delivery from the paceman confused Rohit who sent the ball toward mid-wicket straight into the hands of Iftikhar Ahmed. Rohit made 86 runs from 63 balls with six boundaries and six maximums at a strike rate of 136.51. Shaheen, with two wickets, also conceded 36 runs in six overs at an economy rate of 6.
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Gouri Das
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