In the wake of Pakistan’s historic 10-wicket loss to Bangladesh in the first Test of the two-match series, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has come under heavy scrutiny. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali openly criticized Shaheen for his lackluster performance, calling for him to be rested for the upcoming second Test.
Underwhelming Performance:
Shaheen Afridi, considered one of Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers, managed only two wickets in the match, both coming in Bangladesh’s first innings. His dismissals were lower-order batsmen Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud. Despite Pakistan fielding a pace-heavy attack with four fast bowlers and no specialist spinners, Shaheen failed to deliver the expected results, further intensifying the criticism.
Basit Ali’s Comments:
Basit Ali, who voiced his concerns on his YouTube channel, suggested that Pakistan captain Shan Masood should consider resting Shaheen for the second Test. Ali emphasized the importance of Shaheen returning to first-class cricket to regain his form. Basit remarked, adding that the entire Pakistan team struggled across all departments, including bowling, fielding, and batting.
“Shaheen Afridi should be rested 100 per cent. He should go and play first-class cricket. He should be rested. Ali S put in a lot of effort. Pakistan failed in bowling, fielding and batting. They beat us in all departments. It is wrong to say that the team had a bad day,” Basit said.
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Shaheen’s Recent Struggles:
This isn’t the first time Shaheen has faced criticism. During the T20 World Cup earlier this year, he only took five wickets in four matches, sparking concerns about his form. His current struggles have raised questions about whether he is facing a burnout, having been a key player for Pakistan in all formats of the game over the past few years.
Pakistan’s Struggles:
Pakistan’s defeat in Rawalpindi marked their first-ever loss to Bangladesh in a Test match, further deepening the team’s woes. The loss saw Pakistan being bowled out for just 146 in their second innings, setting Bangladesh a modest target of 30 runs, which the visitors chased down in just seven overs.
WTC Standings Impact:
The defeat has significant implications for Pakistan in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) standings. Pakistan’s point percentage (PCT) has dropped to 30.56%, causing them to slip to eighth place. In contrast, Bangladesh’s win propelled them to sixth place, tied on PCT with Sri Lanka.
Looking Ahead:
With the second Test looming, the pressure is mounting on Pakistan’s management and players to turn their fortunes around. Whether Shaheen Afridi will be rested as suggested remains to be seen, but the team’s approach and strategy will be under the spotlight as they seek redemption against a confident Bangladesh side.
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