IND vs PAK: "No One Bowls A More Dangerous First Over Than This Bowler" - Aakash Chopra Lauds Shaheen Afridi

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra lauded Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi, describing him as one of the world’s best bowlers in white-ball cricket at the moment. Aakash Chopra highlighted Shaheen Afridi as the most dangerous bowler to face in the first over of the game.

Shaheen Afridi is currently representing Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023. The left-arm pacer picked up seven wickets in three matches with an impressive average of 14.86 and an economy rate of 4.73. He registered the best figures of 4/35 against India in the group stage game.

Shaheen Afridi Is Fast Gaining A Reputation – Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra stated that Shaheen Afridi is unplayable in the first over of the game due to his ability to pitch the ball up and generate swing.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi is fast gaining a reputation whether he is the world’s best bowler in white-ball cricket or not. There is no doubt that among all bowlers who are playing cricket currently, no one bowls a more dangerous first over than this bowler because he pitches the ball right up, gets it to swing, and has bounce and courage as well,” Chopra said.

The Babar Azam-led team beat Bangladesh by seven wickets in their first Super Four stage match in Lahore on Wednesday, September 6. The Men in Green restricted the opposition to just 193 runs. The hosts chased down the target with 63 deliveries to spare.

Haris Rauf Is Equally Good – Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator praised Haris Rauf, saying that he is not far behind Shaheen Afridi. He suggested that Rauf’s pace could increase if he bowls slightly further up, making him a formidable bowler.

“Haris Rauf is equally good. He has deceptive pace and bounce although he bowls from a little further back. His pace might increase by a yard or two if he bowls from slightly further up but his ball travels. You feel it will come slow but it goes and hits near the bat’s handle,” he added.

Rauf was the leading wicket-getter in the ongoing six-team tournament. The right-arm pacer grabbed nine scalps at an outstanding average of 10.33. He picked up four wickets for just 19 runs in his most recent game against Bangladesh.

Naseem Shah Is Brilliant – Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra praised Naseem Shah for his brilliant performance and highlighted his unique bowling style with an absolutely straight seam position.

“Naseem Shah is brilliant. Naseem’s story is that his hand is so straight, it is absolutely zero seam, which means the seam is absolutely straight. If the seam is slightly left or right, it aids the swing, but if the ball goes with an absolutely straight seam, just like it does for Mohammad Shami, it swings less and there are more cutters, but he also bowls close to 150 kph.”

The Babar Azam-led team will take on the Rohit Sharma-led team in their upcoming match at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, September 10. However, the rain could play spoilsport during the game, considering the bad weather in Colombo.

Also read: IND vs PAK: I Don’t Count It As A Wicket: S Sreesanth On Shaheen Afridi Dismissing Virat Kohli