Shaheen Afridi takes a dig at India's Umran Malik

Umran Malik was the find of the Indian T20 League 2022 as he was absolutely sensational throughout the season. The 22-year-old impressed everyone with his ability to generate the extra pace. He also was able to take regularly dismiss the opposition batters as he ended with 22 wickets this season. Along with him, Lockie Ferguson was another player who impressed everyone with his pace.

The two could constantly produce deliveries over the speed of 150 kmph. In the final of the season, Ferguson (157.3 kmph) surpassed Malik (157 kmph) to claim the fastest delivery of the season. However, another pace head from Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, was not impressed with their performances. He believed just speed can't help a fast bowler. They also need to develop good lines, lengths, and swing.

"Speed can’t help you if you don’t have line and length and swing," said Shaheen when he was asked about Lockie Ferguson and Umran Malik's excellent speeds during a press conference.

In the meantime, the left-arm bowler is preparing for Pakistan's three-match ODI series against West Indies at home. Notably, the series was planned to take place last December but was cancelled owing to many Covid cases in the visitors' camp.

"The weather is hot but we are looking forward to playing good cricket in it. It would be a tough challenge for the fast bowlers to bowl long spells in summer but as a professional, we are ready to face it," he said.

Shaheen described the West Indies team as a strong unit and stated that they would like to win this series and gain valuable points in the World Cup qualification process. "This is an important series in terms of World Cup qualification which is why we don’t want to lose any match. Also, West Indies are a strong international side and it is not as if they are sending under-19 players for this series," he said.

The first One-Day International (ODI) will commence on June 8, and all three matches will take place in Multan.