Vernon Philander: “From a personal perspective, I am very disappointed with where Shaheen Afridi’s game is at the moment”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander has admitted he is “very disappointed” with where Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s game is right now.
In addition to leading the national team, Afridi is also the country’s pace spearhead across all three formats.
Afridi’s recent fluctuation in form has frustrated Philander, who believes it’s vital for the left-arm quick to be firing on all cylinders.
During the home series against South Africa, Afridi took five wickets in two Tests at an average of 28.60.
He followed that up with 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 claimed three wickets in three matches against the Proteas at an average of 38.
Pakistan’s next assignment was an ODI series against Sri Lanka, but Afridi failed to impress as he picked up one wicket in two games at an average of 86.
Next came the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, where he ended up with four wickets in two matches at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 7.42.
“From a personal perspective, I am very disappointed with where Shaheen Afridi’s game is at the moment,” Philander was quoted as saying by Khel Shel on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Afridi was recently in action for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL), but his campaign was cut short by a knee injury.
In four matches, he snapped up two wickets at an average of 76.50 and an economy rate of 11.19.
Afridi played no part in Pakistan’s recent T20I tour of Sri Lanka, which ended as a 1-1 draw.