Shaheen Shah Afridi likely to be dropped for Namibia game

Pakistan train at SSC ( PC- Revsportz)

Shaheen Shah Afridi is likely to be dropped for Pakistan’s next game against Namibia on Wednesday, it is learnt. The senior left-arm fast bowler, along with Babar Azam, has been copping flak after Pakistan’s humiliating 61-run defeat to India on Sunday. Without much back-up options in batting, Babar might be persisted with. But Pakistan have two quality fast bowlers warming the bench in Naseem Shah and Salman Mirza.

Shaheen bowled two overs against India, giving away 31 runs for the wicket of Axar Patel, which came at the death, in the final ball of the innings. In three matches at the ongoing T20 World Cup so far, the 25-year-old has bowled nine overs, accounting for 101 runs and taking three wickets at an economy rate of 11.22. Shaheen is still pretty young, but he seems to have lost pace. The tearaway quick of yore mostly bowls fast-medium these days, around 85 mph.

Even his father-in-law, Shahid Afridi, didn’t hold back after the game against India. “Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab and drop Babar,” the former Pakistan swashbuckler had said, speaking on Samaa TV. “Try fresh faces against Namibia and give the new players a chance to build confidence. They have been playing for a long time. Whenever we expect them to perform, they don’t. If these senior players aren’t giving us the performances we expect, then play the juniors who are sitting on the bench. What’s the difference?”

On Tuesday, Pakistan trained at Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) ahead of their game against Namibia. It was cloudy overhead, but the mood in the camp didn’t look too gloomy. Over a round of fun rugby, a warm-up drill, the players shouted and chirped. Both Pakistan and the USA are on four points each in Group A but the latter has an inferior net run rate, -0.403, compared to USA’s 0.788. Salman Agha’s troops must beat Namibia to reach Super 8s. A washout, too, will work in Pakistan’s favour.

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