Shahid Afridi reveals what Shaheen Afridi could have done different in the semi-final

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi reckons that pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi could have bowled better in the semi-final against Australia in the 20-20 World Cup. Afridi was taken to the cleaners by Matthew Wade in the penultimate over of the innings, smoking three sixes to finish the game with five wickets in hand and one over to spare. Until that over, Shaheen had managed to keep things tight and was economical in the powerplay.

Shahid Afridi feels Shaheen could have bowled outside the off-stump rather than maintaining the same line and lengths. “I am not happy with Shaheen in one area. Okay, so Hassan Ali drooped a catch, but that does not mean you will bowl badly and get hit for three successive sixes,” Shahid Afridi said on Samaa TV Channel.

“Shaheen has so much pace, and he should have used it sensibly. Even if the catch was dropped. He should have used his head and tried to bowl outside off stump fast Yorkers with his pace. He is not that sort of bowler to be hit like that,” he added.

Shaheen Afridi had been pretty impressive until the horrendous over in the semi-final. His match-winning spell against India earned him the Player of the Match award. Especially, in the powerplay, Afridi was lethal, picking up wickets upfront. Shahid Afridi lauded the left-arm pacer’s performance in the tournament. “I would say he was brilliant in the tournament, and I have only seen either Wasim bhai (Akram) or perhaps Mohammad Amir bowl like this with the new ball,” said Shahid Afridi.

“He is giving good performances. I hope he learns from this cricket experience and prepares himself for the future,” he added.