‘Shoaib Akthar took so many injections, he can't walk now ’ – Shahid Afridi defends Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan cricketer Shaheen Afridi has missed both domestic and international assignments due to injuries. The left-arm pacer sustained an injury during the T20 World Cup 2022 final against England. However, the pacer made his return in full form in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Meanwhile, the former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akthar was critical of Shaheen as he said that he should have played the final, taking a painkiller. "If I was in his [Shaheen Afridi] place, I would have become the greatest celebrity of Pakistan during those 12 minutes by bowling the same number of deliveries. I would've come to bowl, fall, break my knees, but I would've got up, used injection to numb my knees, and repeated the same again," Akhtar was quoted by cricketpakistan.com.

Reacting to Akhtar's remarks, former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi said that Akhtar used to take many injections and painkillers during his playing days and the result of the same is that it is tough for Akthar to walk nowadays.

Everyone can't be Shoaib Akthar: Shahid Afridi

“Shoaib Akhtar took so many injections that he can't walk now!” Afridi said During an interaction with Samaa TV. “See, this is Shoaib Akhtar's class. He can do that. It's difficult, though. Everyone can't be Shoaib Akhtar. It's difficult to play with injury if you take injections and painkillers. Because then, you risk aggravating the injury further. Anyway, let's leave Shoaib Akhtar alone!”

Shaheen is one of the finest pacers in his generation. The 22-year-old is currently leading Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing eighth edition of the PSL. The pacer’s fitness remains of utmost importance to Pakistan with the Asia Cup and the ODI World Cup coming up in 2023. 

Meanwhile, Akthar was also severely criticized for his recent remarks against Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, as he said that the latter should learn to speak English fluently. 

"Abhi aap dekh le, koi character nahi team mein. Naa koi baat karne ka tarika. (You can see there's no character in the team, nor they know how to talk). How awkward it looks when they come to the presentation. Kitna mushkil hai English seekhna aur baat krna? (How difficult is it to learn and speak English?)," Akhtar was quoted as saying by timesnownews.

"Cricket is one job, and handling media is another. If you can’t speak, I am sorry, but you won’t be able to express yourself on TV. "I want to openly say that Babar Azam should be the biggest brand in Pakistan, but why hasn't he become the biggest brand in Pakistan? Because he can’t speak," he added.

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