'Speed se kuch nahi hota' - Shaheen Afridi on whether he wants to bowl like Umran Malik

Pakistan pace sensation Shaheen Afridi has become a force to reckon with in the international arena. The left-arm pacer was excellent in the longest format of the game during 2021 and was also named Sir Garfield Sobers men’s Test cricketer of the year.

The left-arm pacer has now given his views on bowling fast. To note, express pacers like Umran Malik and Lockie Ferguson bowled some of the fastest deliveries during the recently-completed Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. Replying to a question in a press conference, Afridi stated that pace is of no use without line and length.

Afridi emphasized the fact that swinging the ball is as important to beat batters as the pace is. The left-arm pacer also revealed that he is working on increasing his speed so that he becomes even more effective with his line, length, and swing.

Hopefully, I will be able to generate more pace: Shaheen Afridi

“Speed se kuch nahi hota (speed is of no use). I haven’t thought about bowling so fast. I personally believe speed is of no use. If you don’t have line, length and swing, you can’t beat the batter easily. Nevertheless, I try to focus on my fitness so that my pace can also increase. Hopefully, I will be able to generate more pace and my line and length will also get better,” Afridi said during a press conference.

Talking about Shaheen’s number in international cricket, the left-arm pacer has played 24 Test matches and has scalped a total of 95 wickets at a decent average of 25.08. In ODIs, the 22-year-old has taken 59 wickets in 30 matches. Talking about T20Is, Afridi has scalped a total of 47 wickets in 40 matches. Afridi also has six five-wicket hauls under his name including all three formats of the game.

Meanwhile, he will be seen in action in a three-match ODI series against West Indies. The first match of the series is slated to be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on June 8 (Wednesday).