Kane Williamson: “Shaheen has been incredible, especially with the new ball. Then you got the likes of Haris Rauf, who’s been a fantastic performer for Pakistan for a long time. So, those are two bowlers that have done really, really well”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has lauded the Pakistan pace duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, saying they have “done really, really well”.
Williamson acknowledged that Pakistan have many incredible fast bowlers who pose serious threats, but noted Afridi and Rauf stand out above everyone else at the moment.
The 35-year-old pointed out that Afridi is a brilliant new ball bowler, while Rauf has “been a fantastic performer for Pakistan for a long time”.
“Yeah, I mean, they have great depth in fast bowlers, which has always been a strength of Pakistan cricket. So, there are a lot of threats. Shaheen has been incredible, especially with the new ball. Then you got the likes of Haris Rauf, who’s been a fantastic performer for Pakistan for a long time. So, those are two bowlers that have done really, really well,” he told Cricket Pakistan.
Afridi recently featured in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and started off with five wickets in two Tests at an average of 28.60.
He then claimed four wickets in two T20Is at an average of 17.75 and an economy rate of 8.87.
The 25-year-old then made his debut as ODI captain and picked up three wickets in three matches at an average of 38.
Rauf took part in the ODI series against South Africa as well, but went wicketless in the one game he played.
Next up for Pakistan was a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, where Afridi finished with one wicket in two games at an average of 86.
Rauf fared much better, snapping up nine wickets in three matches at an average of 18.33.
As for the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, Afridi ended up with four wickets in two matches at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 7.42.
Rauf, however, did not participate in the tri-series, which Pakistan won after beating Sri Lanka in the final.