Zyada Chadhane Ki Zaroorat Nahi, Theek-Thaak Bowler Hai: Shaheen Afridi is criticized by Shastri for being "overhyped"
Ravi Shastri, a former head coach of India, took a harsh stance against Pakistan's bowling lineup and left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi in particular, warning everyone not to overrate him and drawing comparisons to Wasim Akram. The viral video has emerged from Shastri's vile on-air tirade during the India-Pakistan World Cup 2023 match.
Ankush Pandey
The Pakistan bowling attack, which has so far in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 seemed like a ghost of its former self, was harshly critiqued by former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Pakistan's bowling attack has looked pedestrian without Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi shouldn't be overhyped as the greatest bowler. Pakistan did well to bowl out the Netherlands in the first game, but they have given up 344 runs against Sri Lanka and now 192 runs against India in just 30.3 overs in the last two games.
Speaking during India's batting innings in the 21st over, as the Men in Blue were easily reaching the target, Shastri mentioned one of the best left-arm seamers in history, Wasim Akram, and said that Shaheen is a good bowler and that praises shouldn't be overdone.
"He bowls well and can get a wicket when the ball is new." However, you must acknowledge that Shaheen Shah Afridi koi Wasim Akram nai hai if Naseem Shah is not playing and Pakistan's spin bowling is of this caliber! Ache bowler hai. On the other hand, it's not like that at all. Toh bolna chahiye woh theek thaak hai, jab hai theek thak. Bohot zabardast hai chadha ke nahin bithana chahiye ki. Well, that's not the case! Maanna padega, yeh. Wasim Akram is not Shaheen. Although he is a competent bowler, we don't need to give him as much attention as we do.
We should refer to a player as a good player even if he is only a good player. There's no reason to overhype him because he isn't a really good bowler. And we have to acknowledge that)," Shastri remarked candidly during the Hindi commentary on Star Sports.
Pakistan has won two and lost one match, but they still have time to make up ground. Six days will pass until the Men in Green take on Australia on October 20, who are already reeling from two straight losses. The arch-rivals blew them away as a result of a spectacular collapse with the bat from 155/2 to 191 all out.
