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'He Looked off-Colour With New-Ball': Waqar Younis 'Blasts' Shaheen Afridi

image-lmeiscogShaheen went for runs against Gill and Rohit [AP Photo]

One of the most lethal new-ball bowlers in the world, Pakistan's Shaheen Afridi is known for knocking over batters in the first over itself, denting the opposition's hopes early on.

Afridi, who has been time-and-again showcased great performances against India, failed to replicate his best on Sunday when Pakistan faced off against arch-rivals in a Super-4s encounter in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023.

Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill displayed aggression against the in-form bowler, which yielded great results for India as Afridi was taken off the attack after four overs.

Reflecting on Afridi's opening spell, former Pakistan great Waqar Younis explained how the youngster focused on trying too hard and did not rely on basics.

Speaking to Star Sports, the former Pakistan coach also stated how none of the Pakistan pacers showed variations in their opening spell. 

Here's what Younis said

"Shaheen was totally off colour with the new ball. Nobody in the Pakistan team line-up tried to bowl the short ball and the bouncers. The swing as there - Naseem showed it from the other end. If you bowl in the right areas, you will trouble the batters. But Shaheen has to think hard, even in the previous match, although he bowled a brilliant 10 overs, he was off colour and tried too hard today and gave away easy boundaries," 

However, the left-arm pacer in his second spell nabbed the wicket of Gill, making a slight comeback, and will be expected to produce results today with conditions expected to help bowlers.

India are comfortably paced at 147 for 2 in 24.1 overs, with Virat Kohli and KL Rahul holding the fort, and will resume play on 8* and 17*, respectively as the clash heads into a reserve day.