Shaheen Afridi has become a shining star in Pakistan’s ongoing ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. His recent performance against Bangladesh at Eden Gardens in Kolkata was nothing short of exceptional, as he claimed 3 crucial wickets, further solidifying his status as one of the tournament’s leading wicket-takers.
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Shaheen Afridi’s brilliant left-arm pace and his ability to extract movement from the pitch made a significant impact on Pakistan’s ODI World Cup journey. In their clash against Bangladesh, he dismissed Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, and the experienced Mahmudullah, restricting Bangladesh to a modest total of 204.
With these three crucial wickets, Shaheen Afridi now leads the wickets chart in the current World Cup, boasting an impressive tally of 16 scalps from just seven games. This exceptional performance has not only catapulted him to the top of the World Cup wickets leaderboard but has also placed him in the elite club of all-time leading wicket-takers for Pakistan in ODI World Cups.
To put this achievement into perspective, Shaheen Afridi has now overtaken legendary figures in Pakistan’s cricket history, including his father-in-law and former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, along with the express pace sensation Shoaib Akhtar. Both Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar had amassed 30 wickets each in ODI World Cup tournaments. Shaheen’s ability to surpass such iconic names speaks volumes about his potential and the mark he is leaving on the sport.
Remarkably, Shaheen Afridi’s 32 wickets in ODI World Cup matches have come at an astonishingly low average of 17.28. This incredible feat has positioned him just behind the likes of former World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan, who claimed 34 wickets, and the fast bowling sensation Wahab Riaz, who secured 35 wickets. The great Wasim Akram, another legendary name in Pakistan’s cricketing history, still holds the record with an astounding 55 wickets in ODI World Cups.
Shaheen Afridi’s impact goes beyond the numbers on the scoreboard. His ability to strike early in the innings, unsettle opposition batsmen, and create pressure on the batting side has made him an invaluable asset for the Pakistan cricket team. His presence at the start of the innings has consistently put Pakistan in a strong position and given them the upper hand.
Teammate Haris Rauf praised Shaheen Afridi’s remarkable abilities, stating, “He (Shaheen Afridi) is a different class. He comes and takes wickets with the new ball, puts the opposition under pressure, and that’s good for us.” Indeed, Afridi’s knack for delivering breakthroughs early in the innings has been instrumental in setting the tone for Pakistan’s matches in the World Cup.
Shaheen Afridi’s journey in the World Cup began in the previous edition of the tournament in England and Wales, where he showcased his immense talent by claiming 16 wickets. In the current World Cup, he has continued to impress and has undoubtedly established himself as one of the most promising fast bowlers on the global stage.
