Babar Azam: “Abbas Afridi is also learning how to bowl in different situations”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan limited overs captain Babar Azam is excited to see fast bowler Abbas Afridi becoming more versatile as he “learning how to bowl in different situations”.
Afridi, who is the nephew of former seamer Umar Gul, has become a mainstay in the T20I squad after having impressed since making his debut in January 2024.
The 23-year-old has taken 16 wickets in nine matches to date at an average of 16.50 and an economy rate of 9.15.
Now that Afridi is no longer a one-dimensional bowler, Azam knows he can be an even bigger asset for the men in green.
“Abbas Afridi is also learning how to bowl in different situations,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Afridi recently played in Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand and took five wickets in three games at an average of 14.20 and an economy rate of 8.87.
He then snapped up six wickets in three T20Is against Ireland at an average of 18.66 and an economy rate of 9.46.
Following this, Pakistan played a four-match T20I series against England, but he did not feature in any of the matches.
The men in green are now involved in the 2024 T20 World Cup and began with a shocking loss to the United States of America.
They then lost to India by six runs and find themselves on the brink of elimination.
Next up for the men in green will be a clash against Canada on June 11.
Pakistan Squad for 2024 T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
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