The 18-year-old Pakistan left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi has credited the coaching staff for improving his bowling qualities, including the yorkers and slower balls.
After impressive bowling performances in this year’s U19 World Cup in New Zealand, Shaheen Afridi made his international cricket debut just before completing 18 years. He has played three ODIs and seven T20Is and has picked up 4 and 11 wickets respectively.
Recently, in the second T20I against New Zealand against New Zealand at Dubai (DSC) on Friday (November 2), the young left-arm pacer won his first ever Player of the Match award in the international cricket after providing a brilliant bowling figure 4-0-20-3.
Winning the Player of the Match award, Afridi credited the coaching staff to help him to get better in the bowling. He feels his yorkers and slower balls have improved in these days.
Afridi said after the game, “I have been performing well in the games so far. The coaching staff is helping me get better. I feel my yorkers better and slower balls have improved. You have to look at the batsman’s weak zones and bowl accordingly, I am also happy to bowl with the new ball. I just want to play for a long time for Pakistan.”
Winning the second T20I of the three-match T20I series against New Zealand in UAE, Pakistan has secured the series by leading it 2-0. After restricting the Kiwis to 153/7, Pakistan batsmen reached the target in 19.4 overs after losing four wickets. Pakistan skipper Sarfraz Ahmed feels it was a complete performance from the team.
Sarfraz said, “It’s the effort of the players. I feel we have a good balanced side, with Hasan Ali coming in at 10, I know we can chase 150-160.”
“Hafeez is in great form and has made most of his opportunity, Babar is a talented played and it’s good to see that he is improving every day. Asif was sent up the order to ensure that he gets time. We feel if he gets in, he can play the big shots at ease.”
Meanwhile, the New Zealand captain Kane Williamson claimed that they were not far away but need to keep improving.
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Williamson quoted after that match, “Pakistan have a clear pattern of play which they have executed in the last few matches here (at UAE). We weren’t far away but need to keep improving, maybe we could have been a little better with the bat but it’s important to be a bit better all-round.”