Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has urged Shaheen Shah Afridi to learn from his mistakes ahead of the Asia Cup Super Four match against India.
Wasim Akram Advises Shaheen Afridi Ahead of Super Four Clash
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has urged Shaheen Shah Afridi to learn from his mistakes ahead of the Asia Cup Super Four match against India. Akram, regarded as one of cricket’s finest pacers, suggested Shaheen Afridi study Oman bowler Shah Faisal’s approach against Shubman Gill, which proved highly effective.
Shaheen Afridi had bowled too many yorkers early in India’s match against Oman, allowing Gill and Abhishek Sharma to capitalize. Akram highlighted Faisal’s beautiful delivery to dismiss Gill, which was full, swung late, and drew the Indian vice-captain into a drive. The ball slipped through the gap between bat and pad to flatten the off-stump, and Faisal celebrated Gill’s dismissal for 5 runs off 8 balls.
“That is what I want Shaheen to do. That is the length and not bowling yorkers. One-off yorker is okay, but not two or three on the trot. He should be seeing this,” Akram said on Sony Sports Network.
Shaheen underwhelming with the ball
In the Asia Cup 2025 so far, Shaheen Afridi has made a bigger impact with the bat than the ball. He has taken three wickets in the tournament, two of which came against the United Arab Emirates, while failing to pick up a wicket against India as Suryakumar Yadav’s side cruised to a seven-wicket win.
With the bat, Shaheen has played unbeaten knocks of 33 and 29 against India and the UAE, earning Player of the Match for his cameo in the must-win match against the UAE. Pakistan finished second in Group A and will face India in the Super Four at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.
Shubman Gill, meanwhile, has struggled to make a major impact in the tournament. Shaheen will look to exploit the Indian vice-captain’s vulnerability and aim to cut short his innings in the upcoming clash.
