Srinagar: Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has said that primary role of Shaheen Afridi in the team is to get early wickets while as Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed have to step up as they have big role to play.
Afridi commented this in reaction to Shaheen Afridi’s latest heroics against New Zealand in the fourth ODI with the bat.
In the fourth ODI Shaheen Shah Afridi finished Pakistan’s innings with three sixes and four in the last over to finish with seven-ball 23 not out.
Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed, posted the video clip of Shaheen hitting sixes on their Twitter account and asked the fans if his hitting reminded them of another Afridi, hinting at his father-in-law and former Pakistan all-rounder, Shahid Afridi.
“My expectations from Shaheen is first to perform with the ball because 🇵🇰 depends on his early breakthrough, and I know he is working hard on his batting as well and we have seen what he can do. But also I have expectations from Ifti and Shadab to perform on your full potential, because you both have key roles. All the best,” Afridi wrote in reply, while quoting Shadab’s tweet.
After the recently-concluded T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand, which ended in a tie, Afridi criticized the performance of Shaheen, while also offering advice to Shadab.
Afridi emphasized the importance of consistency in line and length, highlighting Shaheen’s inconsistency during crucial moments of the final T20I match against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
“Consistency in line and length is crucial in winning matches. While Shaheen started strong, he faltered when it mattered most, bowling at the wrong areas,” he said.