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'Shaheen Afridi Was Unfortunate': Ex-Pakistan Coach Defends Star Pacer After NZ Loss

Jatin

Shaheen Afridi has been in dismal form [Source: @Hesy_R0ck/x.com]Shaheen Afridi has been in dismal form [Source: @Hesy_R0ck/x.com]

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Pakistan might be down 3-1 in the T20I series against New Zealand but the mood in the camp isn’t all doom and gloom. As the Men in Green gear up for the final clash on Wednesday, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood has come out swinging: not at critics, but in defense of Shaheen Shah Afridi, who’s had a tough time with the ball lately.

Azhar didn’t sugarcoat things in the pre-match presser. He admitted that Pakistan’s bowling has looked more like a bunch of solo acts than a well-rehearsed band. While bowlers like Haris Rauf have delivered standout spells, the rest of the attack hasn’t quite backed it up. That is as blunt as it gets. No beating around the bush.

“One bowler excels while the others struggle,” Azhar said. “Our fast bowlers are performing individually, but as a unit, we are not delivering.”

Shaheen Not Out Of Form, Just Out Of Luck: Mahmood

But when it came to Shaheen Afridi, Azhar wasn’t having any of the criticism flying around. The left-arm pacer has been expensive and has not picked up wickets in clusters this series, but Azhar believes it’s got nothing to do with form.

“Shaheen was unfortunate—his deliveries got top edges, but he couldn’t take wickets,” he pointed out.

In other words, the big man’s been doing everything right, just hasn’t had luck on his side. You can bowl perfect lines and lengths, but if the edges don’t carry or catch doesn’t stick, the scoreboard won’t do you justice.

Mahmood Still Hopeful For A 3-2 Finish

Despite the series already being lost, Azhar hasn’t thrown in the towel. He is pushing for a strong finish and wants the young squad to walk away with their heads held high.

“We have lost the series, but we are not out of any tournament. Our goal is to finish the series with a 3-2 result.”

Meanwhile, make no mistake, Shaheen is still Pakistan’s pace spearhead. One quiet series doesn’t change that. And if the ball starts talking in the final T20I, don’t be surprised if he is the one turning the game on its head.