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“I follow him…”: BBL bound Shaheen Afridi in awe of Mitchell Starc amid his Ashes spree

Aakash Saini

Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi [Source: AFP, @kayosports/x]Mitchell Starc and Shaheen Afridi [Source: AFP, @kayosports/x]

Pakistan pace maverick Shaheen Afridi seems to be smitten by legendary Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc amidst the latter’s wicket-taking spree in the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes series. Afridi, currently in Australia for the upcoming BBL 2025-26 season, claimed that he often tries to model his own bowling to that of Starc’s, and recently acknowledged the cricketer’s match-winning haul against England in Brisbane.

Shaheen Afridi also singled out Starc’s explosive 2015 World Cup run in Australia, where he won the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award for his 22-wicket haul.

Shaheen Afridi says he has been trying to bowl like Starc since he was 16

While speaking with Kayo Sports upon arriving in Australia for the BBL 2025-26 season. Shaheen Afridi praised Australia’s national hero Mitchell Starc, and claimed to have had a “very good chat” with the senior man the last time they went up against each other.

He said:

“Whenever we played against Australia, we had a very good chat. He is a legend, and last time when we met, I told him that I watched your 2015 World Cup bowling spell. He is a world class bowler. He is a role model for any youngster. He still bowls in 140+ range, he recently crossed Wasim Akram record. He has been the best for Australia for many years.”

Shaheen Afridi added that he has been trying to bowl like Mitchell Starc ever since the 2015 World Cup, back at a time when the Pakistan pacer was playing Under-16 cricket. He said:

“When Mitchell Starc played that 2015 World Cup, I played Under-16 cricket for Pakistan. I follow him and try to bowl like him many times.”

Mitchell Starc recently soared past Pakistan pace icon Wasim Akram and Indian spin legend Harbhajan Singh in terms of leading wicket-takers in Test cricket. Starc picked up eight wickets at The Gabba to extend his tally to 420 scalps in just 196 innings.

Shaheen Afridi, meanwhile, is prepping up to play for Brisbane Heat in the upcoming BBL 2025-26 season starting later this week.