Cricket News

Shaun Tait feels that even the world’s finest batters don’t want to face Shaheen Afridi

Since making his international debut for Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi has achieved great heights. Today, the Pakistan fast bowler is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the world. The […]

Jun 29, 2022 3:53 pm

Since making his international debut for Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi has achieved great heights. Today, the Pakistan fast bowler is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the world. The seamer made headlines when he destroyed the Indian top order in India vs Pakistan match in the 2021 20-20 World Cup. The fast bowler bowled phenomenally throughout the tournament and has been taking long strides in his international career since then.

Talking about the impact of Shaheen’s bowling in International cricket, Pakistan bowling coach Shaun Tait has said that Afridi is a world-class bowler and the top batters in the world don’t want to face him. Tait also explained why is it challenging to dominate Afridi while facing him.

“Sometimes it is not even his [Shaheen] pace, sometimes it’s about his presence, standing at the top of his mark, and world finest batter think they don’t want to face this bowler,” said Tait while interacting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) podcast.

“The way the crowd gets involved when he is bowling is all that theatre. Most right-handers know they will be tested with an in-swinger but still, they don’t have any answers to it,” added Tait.

Thanks to his magnificent performances since last year, the 22-year-old pacer has won the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for being the Cricketer of the year 2021.

Afridi made headlines when he bowled a remarkable opening spell against India during the 20-20 world cup 2021. He got the wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli and played a pivotal role in his team’s victory over their arch-rivals.

The left-arm- seamer also took time off his busy schedule to feature in the 2022 County Championship for a short stint where he represented Middlesex. He also led Lahore Qalandars to their maiden PSL title in February after beating the title-holders Multan Sultans in the final.

Afridi almost took his team to the final of the 20-20 World Cup when Matthew Wade mistimed a shot to deep mid-wicket on his bowling but the catch was dropped by Hasan Ali. Wade went on to smash 3 consecutive sixes against Afridi to end Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the tournament and knocked them out.