Legendary Pakistan bowler Waqar Younis has raised concerns regarding the performance of pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi in the first two matches of the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
In these initial matches, Shaheen Afridi has struggled to make an impact, managing just two wickets with an average of 51.50.
A particular instance that highlighted his challenging day was during Pakistan's recent thrilling chase against Sri Lanka, where they successfully pursued a record chase of 344 runs. In this game, the Pakistani pace ace conceded 66 runs in nine overs while securing only a single wicket.
Waqar Younis stressed the critical importance of the Pakistan team addressing the issues affecting Shaheen's performance. He emphasized that Pakistan's success in the event largely hinges on the Landi Kotal-born cricketer's ability to consistently claim early wickets.
Furthermore, Waqar speculated that Shaheen might be dealing with an injury concern, which could explain his subpar performance in the first two matches of the CWC 2023 for Pakistan.
With the highly-anticipated match against India scheduled for October 14, the former captain urged that Pakistan will need Shaheen at his best, especially considering his strong track record against India in significant matches.
Waqar Younis explained, "Pakistan’s success has historically been linked to Shaheen's ability to pick up early wickets, a feat he has accomplished many times over the years. He possesses the capacity and capability, but at the moment, he seems to be trying too hard. His bowling is inconsistent, with deliveries veering off target. It's possible there's an issue with his bowling action, or he might be carrying an injury. Hopefully, he and the coaching staff will work to address these concerns and get him back on track."