Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez: “The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf failed to deliver in the 2023 Asia Cup, 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and now in the lead-up to the [2025] Champions Trophy”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez believes it is time to move on from the pace trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf as they have “failed to deliver”.
Hafeez noted that the three speedsters have been given plenty of opportunities to shine at major ICC events, but have never really done so.
All three of them have been in action in Pakistan’s recent assignments, whether it be the home series against South Africa, ODI series against Sri Lanka, or the T20I tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
However, none of them have managed to deliver consistent performances, with their wickets and averages fluctuating significantly.
Hafeez admitted that the trio have talent, but insisted that they “haven’t proven themselves capable of winning big tournaments for Pakistan”.
“The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf failed to deliver in the 2023 Asia Cup, 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and… in the lead-up to the [2025] Champions Trophy. It’s time to acknowledge that, despite their talent, they haven’t proven themselves capable of winning big tournaments for Pakistan. Let’s move on,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan recently toured Sri Lanka for three T20Is, but Afridi and Rauf did not take part in the series.
Naseem, meanwhile, claimed one wicket in one match at an average of 35 and an economy rate of 11.66.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a three-match T20I series against Australia, which will be held in Lahore from January 29 to February 1.