Shoaib Akhtar hails praise for Pakistani team bowling attack
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Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar expressed his admiration for the current Pakistani pace attack, drawing parallels to the legendary duo of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. This comparison highlights the immense talent and potential of the national team's fast-bowling contingent.
The present Pakistani fast-bowling lineup, consisting of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, is considered one of the world's best. Together, they have already claimed 23 wickets in the initial three matches of the Asia Cup, a tournament held jointly by Pakistan and Sri Lanka, setting the stage for the upcoming one-day international World Cup in India.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, the left-arm pacer, left a lasting impact in a recent group match against India, causing havoc in their top order. However, the match was ultimately abandoned due to rain after just one innings. His impressive performance showcases his potential to be a significant threat in the key Super Four clash against arch-rivals India.
Shoaib Akhtar, in an online conversation organized by Star Sports, praised the young fast bowlers, emphasizing their exceptional talent and confidence. He drew a nostalgic connection to the era of Wasim and Waqar, who collectively took over 900 ODI wickets with their fearsome reverse swing deliveries.
In the current Pakistani lineup, Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the pace attack alongside Naseem Shah, but it is Haris Rauf, the first-change bowler, who currently tops the Asia Cup bowling chart with nine wickets. Rauf's outstanding performance played a pivotal role in Pakistan's recent victory over Bangladesh in the Super Fours.
Shoaib Akhtar provided advice for Naseem Shah, encouraging him to focus on delivering wicket-taking deliveries rather than being a stock bowler. Naseem's ability to seam the ball distinguishes him, and he has the potential to penetrate opposition batting lineups.
Pakistan has a storied history of producing exceptional fast bowlers, including Fazal Mahmood, Sarfraz Nawaz, and World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan. Akhtar remains optimistic about Pakistan's chances in both the Asia Cup and the World Cup, predicting that Babar Azam's team will emerge victorious, including defeating India in both tournaments. This reflects his confidence in the current Pakistani cricket squad.
