'He Is The World's Best Bowler..,' Ex-Indian Opener On Shaheen Afridi's Class
Pakistani pacer, Shaheen Afridi has already bagged 7 wickets in the Asia Cup 2023 (AP News)
Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has praised Pakistan's fast bowlers, particularly Shaheen Shah Afridi, ahead of the India-Pakistan match in the Asia Cup 2023. Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel, highlighted Afridi's ability to bowl a dangerous first over, citing his ability to pitch the ball up, generate swing, and maintain bounce.
“Shaheen Shah Afridi is fast gaining a reputation whether he is the world's best bowler in white-ball cricket or not. There is no doubt that among all bowlers who are playing cricket currently, no one bowls a more dangerous first over than this bowler because he pitches the ball right up, gets it to swing, and has bounce and courage as well.”
Afridi has been impressive in the tournament, taking seven wickets, including four against India in the group stage.
Chopra also commended Haris Rauf, the tournament's leading wicket-taker with nine wickets, for his deceptive pace and bounce, even though he bowls from a slightly different length. He suggested that Rauf's pace could be even more effective if he bowled slightly further up.
“Haris Rauf is equally good. He has deceptive pace and bounce although he bowls from a little further back. His pace might increase by a yard or two if he bowls from slightly further up but his ball travels. You feel it will come slow but it goes and hits near the bat's handle.”
Apart from this, Naseem Shah received praise from Chopra as well, with his straight-arm action contributing to his ability to generate swing. Despite having a seam with no deviation, Naseem can bowl close to 150 kilometers per hour.
“Naseem Shah is brilliant. Naseem's story is that his hand is so straight, it is absolutely zero seam, which means the seam is absolutely straight. If the seam is slightly left or right, it aids the swing, but if the ball goes with an absolutely straight seam, just like it does for Mohammad Shami, it swings less and there are more cutters, but he also bowls close to 150 kph.”
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Chopra spoke highly of Pakistan's fast bowling talents as they prepared to face India in the Super-4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023, with Pakistan coming off a seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh in their first Super-4 match. The match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for September 10th.
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