ISLAMABAD – Teenage pace sensation Shaheen Afridi is all set to cap hismeteoric rise with a Test debut for Pakistan in the third match against NewZealand in Abu Dhabi starting on Monday.
A shoulder injury to medium pacer Mohammad Abbas in the second Test inDubai has paved way for Shaheen to make his mark in the last act of agripping series which stands at 1-1.
“If I get a chance I will do my best,” Shaheen told AFP on Saturday. “Ialways had belief in my ability and in my hard work although I didn´texpect my chance will come in Tests so early.”
The 18-year-old left-arm quick made his mark in a domestic match inSeptember last year, claiming eight wickets for just 39 runs in aQuaid-e-Azam Trophy game, the best figures by a Pakistan bowler onfirst-class debut.
The cricket world took notice of the 1.98 metre tall bowler who could hitthe 90 miles per hour mark with the ball. Within 15 months he is alreadybeing compared to Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and legendaryPakistan paceman Wasim Akram.
His rise to the Pakistan team began at home in Landi Kotal, a town in theKhyber District, close to the border with Afghanistan, where his elderbrother Riaz who played one Test for Pakistan in 200, gave him his firstbowling lessons.
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“My brother was my role model who taught me how to bowl and how to approachcricket with a positive frame of mind,” said Shaheen. “I owe my success tohim.”
Riaz also taught his brother a few shots to the extent that he isconsidered a handy hard-hitting all-rounder.
Since his impressive first-class debut, Shaheen has continued to attractattention, finishing with 12 wickets at the ICC Under-19 World Cup in NewZealand this year and then grabbing a five wicket haul in a Pakistan SuperLeague match. – APP / AFP