Former Pakistani cricketer turned commentator, Ramiz Raja has been known to be vocal about his views, whether controversial or not. He has been commentating in matches featuring Pakistan, among others, for over a decade now and more often than not he has been seen sharing his opinions on different issues related mostly to Pakistan cricket. Now, he has come up with an ‘urgent’ message for the cricketing authorities in Pakistan, that most of them will agree with. regarding Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Ramiz, wants the PCB to groom the young Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, before handing him a chance for the longest format. He also urged the concerned authorities to handle the teenager with ‘extra care’, and also said youngster himself needs to work on his fitness.
During a TV programme, Raja said, “In my opinion, Shaheen should be groomed first before being handed a Test debut, and being a teenager he needs to take care of his fitness. The popular commentator was of the opinion that the lanky pacer should first sharpen his fast-bowling skills before wearing the whites for Pakistan, because, according to him, less crafty pacers often fail to survive in this format due to physical and sometimes even mental pressure.
ALSO READ: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Saad Ali included in Pakistan Test squad
Ramiz elaborated, “Pakistan should not rush with Shaheen, as the youngster may suffer a breakdown and we have a history of many fast bowlers who entered international cricket but were unable to cope with the pressures that come with it.”
The veteran cricketer was the captain of the Pakistani side during his playing days and citing the example of another former player, Mohammad Zahid, who was a genuine fast bowler and made his debut in the mid-90s. Zahid was considered by many as one of the most fearful fastest bowlers ever, but after representing Pakistan in only five Tests and eleven ODIs, he suffered a heart-breaking back injury that put an end to his career, what could have been quite an illustrious one.
However, Afridi is expected to come into the team in place of the fellow pacer, Mohammad Abbas, who has injured his right shoulder, for the third and final Test match of Pakistan’s ongoing Test series against New Zealand.
