IND vs PAK: There Might Be Some Action Problem: Waqar Younis On Shaheen Afridi's Struggle

Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has expressed his concerns over Shaheen Afridi’s form in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. Pakistan have started their campaign in the marquee event in fine fashion, winning both of their first two games.

In their tournament opener, the Babar Azam-led side beat the Netherlands by 81 runs in Hyderabad. And on Tuesday (October 10), they chased down a record total of 345 runs against Sri Lanka at the same venue. Pakistan had their back against the wall after centuries from Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama, which propelled the Islanders to a huge total of 344 for 9.

Their chances of winning the game became only slimmer after Sri Lanka dismissed Imam-ul-Haq (12) and Babar Azam (10) cheaply to reduce them to 37 for 2. However, stunning centuries from Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan powered Pakistan to a famous win with 10 balls to spare. Shafique scored 113 runs while Rizwan remained unbeaten on 131.

Waqar Younis on Shaheen Afridi’s form:

While Pakistan have won their first two games in the World Cup, the form of their pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi will be a huge concern for them. With the tournament to enter its business phase soon, the Pakistan team management will be hoping that their star pacer will regain his best form soon.

While Shaheen Afridi is known for his ability to provide early breakthroughs, he has failed to do so in the ongoing competition so far. He picked up 1 wicket for 37 runs in 7 overs against the Netherlands. And against Sri Lanka, the left-arm pacer was the most expensive Pakistani bowler. He conceded 66 runs in 9 overs and picked up 1 wicket.

“Pakistan’s success has come when Shaheen really picks up early wickets and over the years, he’s done it many times and, uh, and he’s got capacity, capability, but at the moment he’s trying too hard.

“He’s just falling all over the place, you know, bowling on the pads, outside the off stump he’s tried around the wicket over the wicket, nothing really worked for him, and I’m sure he will even sit back with Morne Morkel,” Waqar Younis said while speaking on Star Sports after Pakistan’s win.

“And they’ll probably work out what is going wrong. I think there might be, uh, some action problem. What if he’s carrying any niggle or anything?” he added.

Speaking further, Waqar said that Pakistan will need Shaheen Afridi at his best in the upcoming game against hosts and arch-rivals India. Waqar also expressed his concerns over the form of leg-spinner Shadab Khan who has also struggled to do well with the ball in recent times.

“If he can fix this issue and with that left arm ball coming in, you know, early doors, You know, against India, we’ll be needing his services at the most because he has done it, uh, against India a few matches previously, so he’s an important member of the team, and

“I’m gonna just chip in for Shadab as well, not really finding the rhythm, not really finding the area where he needs to bowl. So he’s also gonna sit down and chat about it,” Waqar said.

Pakistan will be in action on Saturday (October 14) when they take on India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.