There was a stark difference in terms of both skill and pace between the bowling attacks of Pakistan and Australia during the first of the three-match series in Perth, which the former lost by 360 runs. Ace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was supposed to lead the inexperienced bowling attack, looked lackluster during both innings. Though he swung the new ball, Waqar Younis was unhappy with the pace at which the left-armer was bowling.
“He (Shaheen) used to bowl at 145 to 150 kph speeds on odd days. And used to swing that ball. What I am seeing currently that he has some swing but his pace is way down. He is bowling around 130 to 132 kph. If he is not going to take wickets here (in Australia), you are not getting it anywhere,” Waqar told ESPNcricinfo.
In both innings, Shaheen picked up a wicket each. However, he failed to keep a lid on the run-scoring, and once the ball got older, he lacked the venom to trouble the batters. Waqar also gave the pacer the benefit of the doubt by saying if he is not fit, he needs to go away and fix that.
“I am not really sure what is wrong with him. If he is not fit, if he has got some issues, I think he needs to go away from the game and fix that. Because if you are going to carry on like that, you are going to become a medium pacer,” added Waqar.
Former Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri chipped in with his opinion on Shaheen’s poor performance as well. “I think the real problem for Shaheen is the pressure of being the spearhead of this Pakistan attack and without much support at the other end when it comes to pace,” he said during the commentary.
Pakistan will next play the second Test against Australia starting on Boxing Day i.e. on December 26.
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