Shaheen Shah Afridi: “It doesn’t matter if I get dropped. Whenever I play, my job is to take early wickets for Pakistan. That’s why I bowl the first over”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan left-arm pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has said it does not matter if he is dropped, as his role for the national team will always remain the same – to take early wickets.
Afridi has built a reputation for striking in the first over, which is why he said he always has the new ball in his hand.
The 26-year-old recently captained Pakistan in their three-match ODI series against Australia and took seven wickets at an average of 12.14.
“It doesn’t matter if I get dropped. Whenever I play, my job is to take early wickets for Pakistan. That’s why I bowl the first over,” Afridi was quoted as saying by Khel Shel.
Despite his strong showing against Australia, Afridi was omitted from Pakistan’s ongoing two-Test series against the West Indies, with his red-ball form having been inconsistent and his bowling speed also dropping.
After Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies, they will travel to England for three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah