Shaheen Shah Afridi: “Ifti (Iftikhar) is a very experienced player and he’s always ready for bowling”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi said big-hitting batsman Iftikhar Ahmed is always ready to bowl and give his best to take wickets.
Iftikhar has been utilised as a part-time off-spinner and has enjoyed some success as he provides breakthroughs from time to time.
In the five-match T20I series against New Zealand in January 2024, the 33-year-old was given the opportunity to bowl four overs in the fifth match and did exceptionally well as he finished with figures of 3-24.
Considering what kind of impact he can have, it is likely that the Peshawar native will be called on to bowl in the future, as long as he remains a member of the Pakistan team.
“Ifti (Iftikhar) is a very experienced player and he’s always ready for bowling,” Afridi was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Iftikhar recently featured in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand in April 2024 and took one wicket at an average of 48 an an economy rate of eight.
He is now involved in the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland.
After that, the men in green will take on England in a four-match T20I series from May 22 to May 30.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series:Â Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan