Shaheen Afridi will be missed a lot in Asia Cup: Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram has said that the team will definitely miss the services of their pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as there is no variation in the Men in Green’s bowling line-up in his absence. Afridi has been ruled out of the continental tournament due to a knee injury.

His absence is  a huge setback for Pakistan as Afridi has the ability to make the new ball talk straightaway and provide vital breakthroughs for his side early on. Notably, the youngster accounted for the likes of openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul early on when India met Pakistan in the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Shaheen Afridi is important because of the new ball: Wasim Akram

“Shaheen Afridi will be missed a lot. He is important because of the new ball. In this format, if you have to restrict the opposition by taking early wickets and that is what he does. He attacks the stumps in all formats,” said Akram while speaking to Star Sports.

“There was criticism when he did not take a break but he is only 22. He has got a knee injury which takes time to heal and you always fear that it might come back. He is one of the world’s top three bowlers so a big setback for Pakistan. There is still pace in the bowling department but there is no variation (in the absence of Shaheen’s left arm pace). They all are right handers,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi was rested for the recently concluded ODI series against the Netherlands. However, he was playing continuously for the past few months, which also saw him participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and the County Championship 2022. Pakistan would be hoping that he recovers before the T20 World Cup in Australia.

Meanwhile, the Men in Green will be renewing their rivalry against India when the two teams lock horns at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, August 28. They had handed the Men in Blue a thumping 10-wicket loss at the same venue last October and would now be hoping to showcase a similar performance.