March 12, 2024

Inzamam-ul-Haq Criticizes Shaheen Afridi’s Decision to Bat at No.5 in PSL 2024 – Pakistan Super League

Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has joined the chorus of criticism surrounding Shaheen Afridi’s decision to promote himself up the batting order in Lahore Qalandars’ latest Pakistan Super League (PSL) encounter. Afridi, the Qalandars’ skipper, chose to bat at No.5 against Quetta Gladiators, ahead of established big-hitters like David Wiese and Sikandar Raza.

Inzamam expressed his disappointment with Afridi’s move, emphasizing that it was detrimental to the team’s performance. He argued that although Afridi scored a brisk 34-ball 55, his decision to bat above more experienced batters ultimately limited the Qalandars to a modest total of 166/4. Inzamam-ul-Haq argued that the 91-run partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen Afridi in the recent Lahore Qalandars match should have led to a score exceeding 200. 

Furthermore, Inzamam criticized Afridi’s slow scoring rate, suggesting that it prevented the Qalandars from posting a more competitive total. This sentiment was echoed by legendary Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram, who also questioned Afridi’s promotion up the batting order. Both cricket icons believe specialist batters like Wiese and Raza could have better served the team’s interests.

“Shaheen coming in to bat at No. 5 but scoring at that pace is not good for the team. When you have specialists such as David Wiese and Sikandar Raza, the score could have been better. Oh bhai… tez khel (Boss, score faster). They need to take care of one big fact. If you start getting into individual efforts, the team’s cause will go for a toss,” said Inzamam.

He added:

“This partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Shaheen Afridi… if you look at the scorecard, then it looks very impressive, scoring 55 off 34 balls and the other scoring 59 off 39 balls. But the scorecard doesn’t do justice to it. They played all the overs – almost 14 – and all you could take the total to was 167, whereas it should have been 200-plus. Did anyone feel that Lahore will be able to win from here? Or will Lahore defend it?”

Shaheen Afridi’s decision to move up the batting order ultimately proved costly for the Lahore Qalandars, as they suffered a disappointing defeat in a nail-biting finish to their PSL 2024 campaign. The team secured only one victory in ten outings, contrasting their back-to-back title wins in 2022 and 2023. As a result, the Qalandars found themselves at the bottom of the points table, struggling to replicate their previous successes.

This season marked a significant departure from the Qalandars’ recent performances, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads. While Shaheen’s batting experiment may not have been the sole reason for the team’s poor showing, the decision clearly affected the overall performance. The once-dominant side now faces the challenge of regrouping and identifying areas for improvement as they look to reclaim their place among the PSL’s top contenders in future seasons.

The Potential Impact of Sikandar Raza and David Wiese was Overlooked-Wasim Akram’s take on Shaheen Afridi’s Batting Position

Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram disapproved of Shaheen Afridi’s decision to promote himself up the batting order in recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches. Akram argued that Afridi, primarily known for his bowling prowess, should focus on honing his new-ball and death-overs bowling skills instead of experimenting with his batting position.

In the past few games, Shaheen Afridi has been seen batting at the No. 5 spot for Lahore Qalandars, a move that has drawn criticism from experts and fans alike. While Afridi scored a quickfire 30 off just 14 deliveries in one of the matches, his other two innings at No. 5 yielded scores of 1(3) and a single-digit contribution. Akram highlighted the importance of letting specialist power hitters like Sikandar Raza and David Wiese fulfill their roles in the batting order rather than usurping their positions.

As the team captain, Afridi must strike the right balance between his individual performance and the overall team strategy. While experimenting with his batting position might be a personal preference, it could potentially disrupt the team’s momentum and weaken its overall performance. As a talented left-arm pacer, Afridi’s primary focus should be leading his team’s bowling attack and ensuring their death-overs bowling remains consistently effective.

“Shaheen got runs. But their big two hitters Sikandar Raza (got five balls) and David Wiese didn’t get a chance. He needs to understand that batsmen now have understood that the first two balls from Shaheen will be yorkers. In the death he will either bowl slower cutter or will on the stumps around the wicket. Batsmen are prepared for it now,” said Akram on A Sports.

Despite Lahore Qalandars’ underwhelming performance in the recent season, Shaheen Afridi put up respectable individual numbers. He claimed 14 wickets in nine games at an average of 22.14, maintaining an economy rate of 8.61. While these bowling statistics are commendable, his batting numbers were also noteworthy, as he averaged nearly 18 runs at an impressive strike rate of 164.61.

Shaheen Afridi’s dual proficiency with bat and ball has proven to be an invaluable asset for his team. His capability to pick up crucial wickets and provide quick runs down the order has often proved essential in turning the tide of matches. However, as the team’s primary fast bowler, concerns have been raised regarding his workload, with experts highlighting the need for adequate rest and management to ensure longevity and sustained performance.

In the last 18 months, Afridi has reportedly bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler worldwide, leading to concerns about fatigue and potential injuries. To maintain Afridi’s form and safeguard his career, the team management must monitor his workload and provide ample rest to avoid burnout.

As Pakistan gears up for upcoming international assignments, including the highly anticipated T20 World Cup, the importance of Shaheen Afridi’s form and fitness cannot be overstated. Balancing his individual performance with the team’s overall strategy will be vital to ensuring the side’s success in the long run while safeguarding the promising career of this talented young cricketer.

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