Shaheen Shah Afridi: “They told me to keep control on [my] line and length and not to allow [the] batsmen to settle down”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi has revealed that prior to the national team’s World Cup clash against New Zealand on Wednesday, legendary pace bowler Wasim Akram told him to control his line and length and not allow the batsmen to settle.

Afridi played a crucial role in Pakistan’s six-wicket win over New Zealand as he finished with figures of 3-28 off his 10 overs in the match at Edgbaston.

The 19-year-old, who bowled three maiden overs, dismissed Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham.

In addition to Akram, Afridi also received advice from his older brother, Riaz Afridi.

“They told me to keep control on [my] line and length and not to allow [the] batsmen to settle down,” he was quoted as saying by Geo.tv.

Pakistan’s next World Cup match will be against Afghanistan at Headingley on Saturday.

If they beat Afghanistan, Pakistan will then have to take down Bangladesh at Lord’s on July 5 in order to have any chance of reaching the last four.

However, even if they defeat Afghanistan and Bangladesh, it might not be enough as they will have to rely on the results of other matches.

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