Asia Cup 2023: Shaheen Shah Afridi says 'best yet to come' despite four-fer vs India

Shaheen, a left-arm seamer who possesses the ability to move the ball both ways, leads one of the most potent pace attacks in the world.Pakistan seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi says he’s just getting start after taking four-wickets in the Asia Cup clash against India a week ago. He’s maintained his focus firmly on the ODI World Cup which begins four weeks from now.

In the India vs Pakistan match at the start of the Asia Cup, Shaheen delivered a staggering spell of fast bowling, taking 4/35 – including the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

However, that match ended without a result as rain impeded Pakistan from chasing India’s total. They meet against in Colombo on Sunday in the Super Four stage of the Asia Cup, a precursor to the 50-over World Cup.

Read | How Indian batters are preparing for Shaheen Afridi threat

“Every match against India is special and people watch this a lot,” the 23-year-old told news agency AFP on Friday. “I used to wait for this match as a fan before I played under-16 cricket.”

“I can’t say this has been my best spell so far. This is just the start and there will be many more, so the best is yet to come.”

Shaheen, a left-arm seamer who possesses the ability to move the ball both ways, leads one of the most potent pace attacks in the world.

He and fellow fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have picked up 23 wickets between them in the Asia Cup. Against Bangladesh, they accounted for nine of the 10 wickets.

“If you play all the three formats at such a young age for Pakistan and handle the new ball, people expect you to perform like that,” he said.

“We know our roles with the new and old ball,” Shaheen said.

“Haris is quicker than us and impacts with his pace. Naseem and I try to get early breakthroughs.”

Shaheen suffered a serious knee injury last year but returned strongly in Sri Lanka in July.

“It’s your match time that helps you improve. These Test matches against Sri Lanka recently made me improve as I bowled long spells and fielded all day,” said Shaheen, who has 105 wickets in 27 Tests.

“So that cleared all doubts about the knee injury.”

With India and Pakistan not playing bilateral cricket due to estranged political ties between the two countries, they’re reduced to competing in multi-nation tournaments. The two rivals are also due to meet in the group stage of the Cricket World Cup on 14 October at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

“All the foreign players who have played in the IPL (Indian Premier League), we had discussions with them. I think our Pakistan wickets or Dubai pitches will be similar,” he said.

“Spinners will get more help, maybe. We will hit good lengths. Our team performance is going well as the number one (ODI) team. We have prepared well.”

Advice from Shahid Afridi

Shaheen, who is married to one of the daughters of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, said he speaks to the former all-rounder before every big match.

“I try to pick his brains before a big game and include it in my plans as he was a big-match player,” said Shaheen.

“He talks simply and says: ‘Just play your cricket’.”

A fan of legendary Pakistan left-arm seamer Wasim Akram, Shaheen said he keeps his focus on the field by avoiding cricket off it.

“I don’t go out much and stay in my room. Just stay indoors, make green tea… and talk about anything other than cricket,” he said.

“That keeps me relaxed.”