Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has made a bold prediction about one of Pakistan’s biggest stars. With two defeats from two matches in the Super 12 stage, Babar Azam’s Pakistan side are eyeing an early exit from the ICC World T20 2022 in Australia. Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Pakistan played against the Netherlands in Match #29 of the T20 World Cup at the Perth Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of Pakistan’s must-win clash against the Netherlands, former India coach Shastri shared his views on Afridi’s uninspired return to international cricket. Afridi was ruled out of the full edition of the Asia Cup due to a knee injury. The speed merchant has returned to the T20I side for Pakistan’s World Cup clash with rivals India.
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Shaheen remained wicketless in Pakistan’s Super 12 matches against India and Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup. When asked about Afridi’s form in the T20 World Cup, former India all-rounder Shastri said that the star pacer was given a quick run by the Pakistani think tank. The 1983 World Cup winner also predicted that pacer Afridi could take a break from competitive cricket after the T20 World Cup.
“One thing is clear to me, he is sick. By hurt I mean physically. I don’t think it’s entirely valid. It was returned a little earlier. That’s why there is hope for him. This is the World Cup. So the pressure is on him, he wants to play. The country wants him to play and the selectors want him to play. But he takes it easy. As the tournament progresses, he gets into a rhythm. I see him getting his big break after the tournament is over,” said Shastri Star Sports.
Pacer Afridi bagged the crucial scalp of Netherlands opener Stefan Myburgh in the 2022 World T20 on Sunday. Pacer Afridi scored 19 runs for Pakistan and took one wicket in four overs. Afridi-starred Pakistan restricted the Netherlands to 91-9 in the 20-over contest in Perth.