Experienced cricketers Ramiz Raja and Shoaib Malik express concern regarding the injury of Pakistan’s lead fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, just before the crucial Pakistan-India clash on October 14.
During the Men in Green’s match against Sri Lanka, former cricketer turned commentator, Raja, commented, “Shaheen has an injured finger and is experiencing discomfort while bowling.”
In a separate interview with a private sports channel, former all-rounder Malik emphasized the significance of Shaheen’s injury, noting that he has been bowling at a reduced pace compared to his usual speed. Malik stated, “This is a major concern for the Pakistan cricket team because Shaheen’s ability to take early wickets, particularly against formidable opponents, is a significant asset for Pakistan.”
Malik further suggested, “Shaheen should proactively collaborate with the physio and trainer to address the reason behind his inability to bowl at his usual speed. While I understand he is recovering from an injury, it’s worrisome to see him unable to maintain a speed of 140kph, considering that his initial delivery used to reach around 145kph. The pace he previously generated has notably diminished.”
He concluded by highlighting the importance of upcoming matches against teams like Australia, India, and South Africa and urged the team management to work closely with Shaheen to resolve this issue.
These concerns arose following Shaheen’s performance against Sri Lanka, where he conceded 66 runs and took one wicket in nine overs. In the tournament’s first match against the Netherlands, he recorded figures of 1-37 in seven overs.
It’s worth mentioning that Pakistan continued their excellent form, securing a historic victory against Sri Lanka in the eighth match of the ICC World Cup 2023.
