London: Pakistan paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi enjoyed a breakthrough World Cup campaign, prompting Wasim Akram to hail the teenager as a future star.
The teenager recorded Pakistan’s best-ever World Cup bowling figures with a scintillating spell of 6-35 in Friday’s win over Bangladesh at Lord’s.
Despite that victory in their last group match, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals as they had an inferior net run-rate compared to fourth-placed New Zealand, who also had 11 points from nine matches.
But the gloom of not reaching the last four was lifted by a series of eye-catching performances from Shaheen and several other rising Pakistan stars that offered hope for the coming years.
Wasim, who starred in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph, said he was delighted to have witnessed Shaheen’s progress.
“Definitely, Shaheen is one for the future, a beacon of light for the next generation of fast bowlers,” the former left-arm quick told AFP.
“Shaheen is hard-working and a quick learner so these traits will take him to places.”
Wasim was surprised that Pakistan delayed Shaheen’s World Cup baptism, leaving him out until the fourth match of their campaign against Australia in Taunton.
“Shaheen is a wicket-taking bowler and that was known before the World Cup, so it’s over me why he was not played from the start.”
Shaheen’s three wickets against New Zealand came in the space of just 20 balls and announced his arrival as a major threat as he dismissed Colin Munro, Ross Taylor and Tom Latham.
He took 4-47 against Afghanistan and finished with a flourish, with 6-35 against Bangladesh.
He became the youngest player to take a five-wicket haul at the World Cup — at 19 years and 90 days — surpassing Kenyan spinner Collins Obuya’s 2003 feat when he was aged 21 years and 212 days.
“I am delighted to have performed like this,” said Shaheen, who finished with 16 wickets in five games.
“But I am sure that this is only the beginning and I have to go far to attain greatness like Wasim and Waqar Younis.”
Shaheen is one of many Pakistani left-arm seam bowlers to have idolized Wasim.
The 19-year-old made his mark in a domestic match in September 2017, claiming eight wickets for just 39 runs in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy game.
Within a short space of time he was compared to Wasim and Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc.
Shaheen graduated to Pakistan colors in the Twenty20 series against the West Indies in April last year, but his first major success came against New Zealand in last year’s one-day series in the United Arab Emirates.
He claimed back-to-back four wicket hauls and was named as the man of the series.
Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur predicts Shaheen will be the best in the business.
“I have seen the progress of Starc,” said Arthur, who also briefly coached Australia. “Shaheen can be better than all those who are in the business, because he has that will and talent.”
High-flying Shaheen is future Pakistan star, says Wasim
High-flying Shaheen is future Pakistan star, says Wasim
- Shaheen records Pakistan's best-ever World Cup bowling figures in Friday's win over Bangladesh
- Pakistan failed to qualify for the semi-finals despite four consecutive wins
PCB sets Feb. 11 as date for player auction for Pakistan Super League 11th edition
- The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and a maximum of 20
- The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced that the player auction for the 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will be held on Feb. 11, setting the stage for franchises to begin assembling squads for the country’s premier Twenty20 tournament.
The development came after a workshop regarding PSL player auction at the Qaddafi Stadium, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and PSL CEO Salman Naseer.
The workshop was attended by PSL officials, all eight franchise representatives, members of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad, PCB officials and other capped players.
“The HBL PSL management shared a detailed presentation on the mechanics of the retention and the auction process and consulted with all the participants,” the PCB said.
“It was agreed that the HBL PSL player auction will take place on Wednesday, 11 February.”
The squad composition would be a minimum of 16 players and maximum of 20 players per franchise. The number of foreign players would be five to seven depending on the squad size, according to the PCB.
It would be mandatory for the franchises to play minimum of three and maximum of four foreign players in the playing XI. The teams are also required to have minimum of two uncapped Under 23 players in the squad and one in the playing XI.
Players either retained or picked in the auction will be engaged for two-year contracts with their respective franchise teams, the board said, adding that franchise teams will be able to retain a maximum of seven players for the 12th edition of the tournament.
“I’m delighted that a consultative and productive session was held between the franchises, players and management today resulting in informed and strategic decisions which will pave the way for bright future for the HBL PSL,” Naqvi said.
“The Player Auction model is a landmark step for the HBL PSL, offering players better financial opportunities through an increased salary purse and a transparent acquisition process, while making the league more competitive and attractive.”
PSL CEO Naseer said the player auction system modernizes player recruitment by promoting fairness, transparency, and market-driven value, strengthening the PSL’s appeal for both players and franchises.
“Today’s workshop saw all views being taken into consideration and this rich feedback will be reflected in our execution of a successful player auction scheduled next month,” he said.
PSL has become a key pillar of the country’s cricket economy, providing financial stability to the PCB and serving as a talent pipeline for the national team. The 11th edition of the league is set to begin from Mar. 26 while the final is expected to be played on May 3, as per the PCB’s schedule.
