Wasim Akram questions Shaheen Shah Afridi’s growth, says he hasn’t learned to bowl outswing

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has questioned Shaheen Shah Afridi’s repertoire and feels the lanky pacer hasn’t added new deliveries to his arsenal. Akram noted that Afridi hasn’t learned how to bowl the outswinger and has only two main deliveries in his quiver.

The former left-arm seamer said Afridi bowls a good yorker and bowls straight but doesn’t have many weapons in his artillery. Afridi went wicketless in the opening match against New Zealand and conceded 68 runs in his 10 overs quota.

Against the arch-rivals, Afridi dismissed Indian captain Rohit Sharma with a scorching yorker and also accounted for Hardik Pandya but gave away 74 runs in the eight overs he bowled at an economy rate of 9.20, including seven wides.

Wasim Akram said on CricketPakistan.com, “He hasn’t learned how to bowl outswing on a consistent basis. He has only two types of deliveries. Either he will bowl a yorker or keep straight. The world knows about his bowling now, and the batters are prepared to take him on. He doesn’t know how to take the ball away from the batter. The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf failed to deliver in the 2023 Asia Cup, the 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and now in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy 2025.”

Akram wants Pakistan selectors to give opportunities to players like Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, and Mir Hamza and they must move on from pace trio of Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.

“It’s time to acknowledge that, despite their talent, they haven’t proven themselves capable of winning big tournaments for Pakistan. Let’s move on and give opportunities to other bowlers like Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, and Mir Hamza. These players are waiting for their chances—they are also Pakistani, and they deserve an opportunity.”

Pakistan will play its final game against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Thursday.