Younis Khan: “If Shaheen can bat, then why can’t others? He has the ability to become an all-rounder”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan batsman Younis Khan sees nothing stopping left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from becoming a genuine all-rounder.
His comments come after Afridi had a major impact with both the bat and ball during the 2025 Asia Cup.
The 25-year-old, who was recently named Pakistan’s ODI captain, took 10 wickets in seven matches at an average of 16.40 and an economy rate of 6.60.
He also smashed 83 runs at an average of 41.50 and a strike-rate of 176.59.
“If Shaheen can bat, then why can’t others? He has the ability to become an all-rounder,” Younis was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Following the Asia Cup, Afridi featured in Pakistan’s two-Test series against South Africa and picked up five wickets at an average of 28.60.
With the Test series concluding as a 1-1 draw, the men in green and the Proteas will now play a three-match T20I series from October 28 to November 1.
The two teams will then face off in a three-match ODI series between November 4 and 8.
Once their series against South Africa is over, Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 to 15, before participating in a T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe scheduled from November 17 to 29.
Pakistan squad for South Africa T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan squad for South Africa ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem