Pakistan and fast bowlers have always been going hand in hand. Over the years, they have produced some quality fast bowling talent. The latest addition in that list is Shaheen Shah Afridi. This teenage left-arm pacer came into the limelight during the U19 World Cup last year in January. He had the better of most batsmen in that tournament, with 12 scalps in five innings.
He hasn’t looked back ever since. Today, he has already made it into all three formats of the Pakistan cricket team and has been quite impressive. He has 12 wickets in three test matches. However, he still seems to be finding his feet in the longest format of the game. However, he has been great with the white ball. In 10 ODIs, he has 19 wickets at an average of 19.36. In T20Is, he has picked 13 wickets in 9 games at an average of 19.46.
The 19-year old has rattled most batsmen in international cricket. He has the ability to move the ball at high speeds. In the one year that he has played for so far, he has made quite some noise around the world. Afridi has also made it into Pakistan’s World Cup squad.
‘In three years time, he will be number one quick bowler in World cricket.’ Mickey Arthur, the head coach of Pakistan cricket has been all praises for the youngster. “I’ve made a prediction that in three years time, Shaheen Shah Afridi will be the number one quick bowler in world cricket,” Mickey Arthur was quoted saying on radio commentary.
Pakistan is currently in England where they will play one T20I and five ODIs before they kickstart their World Cup campaign against West Indies on the 31st of May.
