Is Arshdeep more lethal than Shaheen Afridi in powerplay? T20I record comparison reveals

Arshdeep Singh and Shaheen Afridi [Source: AFP]

India's Arshdeep Singh had a magnificent start to the third T20I against South Africa at the HPCA cricket stadium in Dharamsala. Opening the bowling for India, Arshdeep got rid of experienced South African batter Reeza Hendricks, rocking the Proteas with an early setback. 

Most wickets for India in powerplay: Arshdeep overtakes Bhuvneshwar

(Most wickets for IND in powerplay)

Hendricks' dismissal marked Arshdeep Singh's 48th T20I scalp in the powerplay phase, as he went past Bhuvneshwar Kumar to register the most wickets for India in the first six overs. With Arshdeep steadily establishing his legacy as a T20I maestro, his potential and stunning powerplay record have drawn parallels with renowned Pakistani speedster, Shaheen Afridi. 

Arshdeep vs Shaheen: What makes IND and PAK aces lethal?

Both Arshdeep and Shaheen Afridi have been proven performers with the new ball in the powerplay. They have some uncanny similarities, being left-arm pacers and genuine swing bowlers. Shaheen definitely has the edge with a slightly higher release point than Arshdeep; however, the Indian speedster makes the new ball talk just like his Pakistani counterpart on most occasions. 

Shaheen and Arshdeep's tendency to pitch the ball up and try to outfox the batters with swing makes them tricky customers with the white cherry. Their accuracy and ability to generate movement are primary reasons why Shaheen and Arshdeep are absolute nightmares for any top order in the world. 

Arshdeep vs Shaheen powerplay comparison in T20I cricket

(Shaheen vs Arshdeep powerplay bowling comparison in T20Is)

• As evidenced by the above stats, Arshdeep Singh has 48 wickets, while Shaheen Afridi has 55 scalps to his name in the powerplay in T20I cricket. 
• However, while Arshdeep has taken only 130 overs to bag 48 wickets, Shaheen has taken almost 185 overs to take seven scalps more than his Indian rival. 
• Apart from the stark difference in their T20I appearances, Arshdeep's strike rate of 16.25 suggests he has been more efficient than Shaheen in taking wickets in the powerplay. 
• Although the Indian fast bowler has been slightly more expensive (probably due to a higher boundary count), his higher dot percentage signifies how effectively he has kept the opposition under the pump with his disciplined bowling. Despite registering a lower economy rate, Shaheen has bowled a lower percentage of dots, suggesting the batters have more comfortably rotated the strike against him. 

Conclusion

Thus, although Shaheen Afridi is famous for his knack for scalping wickets straightaway with the new ball, Arshdeep comfortably outclasses him in the powerplay. The Indian pace maestro's disciplined bowling and ability to strike at a better rate make him more lethal than his Pakistani counterpart in the first six-over phase in T20I cricket. 

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