Azhar Mahmood: “We have Shaheen Shah Afridi whose return to rhythm is quite essential for us now bearing in mind the upcoming series”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood has admitted that it is imperative left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi get back into rhythm as soon as possible.
Afridi’s bowling has been up and down as of late, which is a major concern, especially considering he is Pakistan’s ODI captain and the country’s pace spearhead in all three formats.
Considering how important the 25-year-old is to the men in green, Mahmood conceded that the team needs him firing on all cylinders on a regular basis.
“We have Shaheen Shah Afridi whose return to rhythm is quite essential for us now bearing in mind the upcoming series,” he was quoted as saying by PakPassion.
Afridi recently took part in Pakistan’s two-Test series against South Africa and picked up five wickets at an average of 28.60.
He did well in the three T20Is that followed, taking four wickets in two games at an average of 17.75 and an economy rate of 8.87.
After this, he made his debut as ODI captain and claimed three wickets in three games against the Proteas at an average of 38.
Afridi’s form took a hit when Pakistan went up against Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series as he was only able to snap up one wicket in two matches at an average of 86.
In his last international assignment, which was a T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, he finished with four wickets in two games at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 7.42.
Afridi is now featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL), where he has taken two wickets in three matches for the Brisbane Heat at an average of 63.50 and an economy rate of 11.90.