by: Atika Mehboob TN Sport Pakistan:
Shastri had downplayed Shaheen’s performance in the Pakistan-India match, saying, “Shaheen Shah Afridi is no Wasim Akram. While he’s adept with the new ball and has the ability to take wickets, I wouldn’t call him exceptional. He’s a competent bowler, but he’s not a standout. One should acknowledge the reality.”
However, Shaheen silenced his detractors by delivering a stellar performance against Australia, bagging five wickets with impressive figures of 5-54.
Hafeez, without explicitly naming Shastri, implied that Shaheen’s performance was a fitting answer to his critics. Speaking on a local TV channel, Hafeez stated, “Shaheen’s five-wicket haul is a testament to his talent and counters certain remarks made by individuals from afar. It’s unjust to compare Shaheen to anyone else. He knows how to deliver. Despite the ball being hit around against Australia, he stood out and instilled a belief in a possible win for Pakistan.”
Shaheen’s exceptional performance against Australia in Bengaluru solidified his reputation. He matched cricketing icon Shahid Afridi’s record by achieving his second five-wicket haul in World Cups, equating Afridi’s record of two such performances in the esteemed tournament.
