Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer turned commentator, has showered praise on Pakistan’s fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, for his exceptional performance in the ongoing ICC 2023 World Cup in India. In contrast to the views of fellow Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri, Chopra commended Afridi’s remarkable achievements during the tournament.
Chopra highlighted Afridi’s impressive statistics, particularly against Bangladesh, where he reached the milestone of 100 One Day International (ODI) wickets. He emphasized Afridi’s versatility in taking wickets with both new and old balls. One of the standout moments that Chopra highlighted was Afridi’s dismissal of Mahmudullah, which he described as exquisite.
Chopra was particularly impressed by Afridi’s bowling skills and even drew parallels to the legendary Pakistani fast bowler, Wasim Akram. He noted Afridi’s slightly round-arm action, enabling him to generate effective reverse swing and his precision in hitting the stumps.
Currently, 23-year-old Shaheen Afridi shares the top spot as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 16 wickets in seven matches, an average of 19.93, and an economy rate of 5.22. He has also claimed the number one ranking in the latest ICC ODI bowler rankings. Afridi’s performance has not only garnered admiration from Chopra but has also established him as a standout talent in the world of cricket.
