Rashid Latif: “Abbas Afridi is a proven wicket-taker and a bowler who keeps improving with every match. However, the best bowlers are not being played”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif wants fast bowler Abbas Afridi in the playing XI more often as he is “a proven wicket-taker”.
Afridi has been brilliant for Pakistan in T20Is as he has taken 33 wickets in 20 matches at an average of 15.48 and an economy rate of 8.58.
During Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, he picked up three wickets in two games at an average of 20.66 and an economy rate of 10.62.
He then played for the Karachi Kings in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) and finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 23.52 and an economy rate of 10.25.
Latif noted that Afridi deserves to be playing for Pakistan more often as he “keeps improving with every match”.
“Abbas Afridi is a proven wicket-taker and a bowler who keeps improving with every match. However, the best bowlers are not being played,” the 56-year-old was quoted as saying by TOK Sports on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Afridi was initially not picked for Pakistan’s ongoing three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, but was subsequently called up as a replacement for fellow pacer Mohammad Wasim Jnr, who was ruled out with a side strain.
The men in green won the 1st T20I by 37 runs and claimed a 2-0 series lead after securing a 57-run victory in the 2nd T20I.
The 3rd T20I will take place on June 1 in Lahore.
Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper) and Saim Ayub