Wasim Akram: “He has only two types of deliveries. Either he will bowl a yorker or keep straight. The world knows about his bowling now, and the batters are prepared to take him on. He doesn’t know how to take the ball away from the batter”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan pace icon Wasim Akram has lambasted left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi for only having two types of deliveries, saying it has made him predictable.
Wasim pointed out that batsmen now know what to expect from the 24-year-old as he will either unleash a yorker or bowl a straight ball.
The Sultan of Swing feels this issue will make it tougher for Afridi to take wickets.
Additionally, he questioned why Afridi cannot bowl out-swingers and utilise them to his advantage.
“He has only two types of deliveries. Either he will bowl a yorker or keep straight. The world knows about his bowling now, and the batters are prepared to take him on. He doesn’t know how to take the ball away from the batter,” Wasim was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Afridi recently took part in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and picked up six wickets in three games at an average of 33.16.
Following this, he featured in the 2025 Champions Trophy and finished with two wickets in two matches at an average of 71.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the tournament, which led to them getting dumped out in the group stage.
Their final game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be played from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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