Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi on Friday said he enjoyed bowling with Hasan Ali as the latter helped him put opponents under pressure in Test matches. Afridi and Hasan have emerged as Pakistan’s new fast bowling pair in 2021, taking 83 wickets in Tests between them.
“I enjoy bowling with him,” he said. This year he has 39 wickets, I have 44. We bowl in partnerships and plan together,” Afridi told reporters in Dhaka ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh on Saturday.
If a batsman plays well, he said, the pair plan “how can we catch or confuse him. That’s why I enjoy bowling with him. He is a fighter”.
Hasan and Afridi registered Pakistan’s eight-wicket win over Bangladesh in the opening Test in Chittagong, claiming five each.
Hasan finished with 5-51 in the first innings as Pakistan bowled out Bangladesh for 330, while Afridi’s 5-32 in the second innings kept the target within reach of the visitors.
“Wickets are more or less slow in Asia. People say that spinners get more help here. But if you are physically strong and have the strength then it is possible to be effective here. You need to bowl in partnerships,” Afridi said.
The hosts would be desperate to make a comeback in the second leg of the series but Afridi promised them to leave no stone unturned.
“The pace is good and the team combination is great too,” he said. “The boys are ready for the second Test. Of course, we will fight well and finish the series.”
Bangladesh have had some success in recent years at the Mirpur Stadium in Dhaka, where they have won five of their last seven Tests, including victories against both England and Australia.
The spinners played a key role in his success but Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said he was unlikely to follow the same strategy against Pakistan.
“Everyone from the subcontinent plays very good spin. So it is better not to give them spin wickets. I think everyone else will do the same. I prefer a flat wicket,” he said.
But Bangladesh will welcome spinner Shakib Al Hasan for the match after he was dropped in the first Test due to fitness concerns.
Fast bowler Taskin Ahmed is also making a comeback after being ruled out of the opening Test due to a finger injury.
Taskin was in excellent Test form since returning to the side after a four-year absence, taking 11 wickets in three matches.
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