Former Pakistan bowler Waqar Younis feels that Shaheen Shah Afridi is lacking discipline in his bowling in the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 as the left-arm pacer is trying to do so many things.
The 23-year-old Shaheen hasn’t been at his best in the all three games at the ongoing ODI World Cup so far, picking just four wickets while conceding 139 runs.
“I don’t know if there is a problem with his fitness. The missing link in his bowling is discipline and he is over trying to get wickets,” Waqar was quoted as saying by AFP.
“When you do the same thing again and again, like Shaheen is bowling to get his yorker going, then batsmen know that and they are ready for it,” he added.
On the other hand, the 51-year-old Waqar lauded Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who has been excellent with his line and lengths and picked eight wickets in three matches, so far.
“Bumrah is creating pressure and his line is top of the off stump. He bowled so well against Pakistan and created pressure to get wickets,” he added.
Before the start of the ODI World Cup, Pakistan cricket team suffered a massive blow when young pacer Naseem Shah was ruled out of the tournament and the legendary fast bowler feels that it might have had an effect on Shaheen’s performances so far.
“Naseem is a good bowler and doesn’t give many runs away. When Naseem creates pressure, batsmen take chances with other bowlers and they get wickets,” Waqar said.
“I don’t think it’s because of missing just one bowler, but it’s because they are not keeping it simple,” he added.
Pakistan, who registered wins against Netherlands and Sri Lanka before losing to India, will take on Australia in Bengaluru on Friday. Australia will enter this match after defeating Sri Lanka comfortably in Lucknow.