Mohammad Hafeez: “Naseem Shah’s impact in the first over of the match is more than Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen is world-class, but Naseem has had more impact than anyone in the world in the last 7-8 months”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan team director and interim head coach Mohammad Hafeez believes fast bowler Naseem Shah has more of an impact in the first over than pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Afridi is renowned for getting wickets in the first over of a match and Hafeez acknowledged that he is “world-class.” However, the former all-rounder firmly feels that Naseem has been the most impactful bowler “in the world in the last 7-8 months.”
The 21-year-old showcased his brilliance in the recent 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he played an instrumental role in leading Islamabad United to the title.
Naseem took 15 wickets in the 11 matches he played at an average of 22.20 and an economy rate of 7.56.
As for Afridi, who captained the Lahore Qalandars, he claimed 14 wickets in nine games at an average of 22.14 and an economy rate of 8.61.
“Naseem Shah’s impact in the first over of the match is more than Shaheen Afridi. Shaheen is world-class, but Naseem has had more impact than anyone in the world in the last 7-8 months,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Farid Khan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27.
Pakistan Squad for New Zealand T20I Series:Â Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan
Non-travelling reserves:Â Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha