Ravi Shastri makes brutal remark on Shaheen Afridi, says ‘he is no Wasim Akram’

Former Indian cricket team coach Ravi Shastri has sparked controversy with his recent comments about Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Afridi. Shastri, known for his candid remarks, compared Shaheen with the legendary Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram who is widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the sport. 

Shastri’s remark came during the India vs Pakistan ODI World Cup 2023 clash in Ahmedabad on October 14, which drew comparisons to Akram. While Shastri’s comment may have been intended as a straightforward observation, it has ignited debate among cricket fans. His statements often grab headlines, and this one is no exception, further fueling the fervour surrounding cricketing rivalries in the subcontinent.

“When Naseem Shah is not playing and this is the quality of spin… Shaheen Shah Afridi is no Wasim Akram. He is a good bowler with the new ball and can pick wickets, but there is nothing special about him. He is only a decent bowler. He’s no big deal. You have to accept the truth,” 

Pakistan did not learn anything: Sunil Gavaskar

Former Indian legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar also agreed with Shastri’s comments and expressed his disappointment with his unpleasant bowling display. He took the example of Jasprit Bumrah, who delivered an off-cutter to dismiss the dangerous-looking Mohammad Rizwan and said that Shaheen didn’t use the slower ones.

“Rizwan is the kind of player who can take the game away from the opposition. He is a very cheeky player. He knows how to play and adjust his game according to the needs of the side. So his wicket was very crucial or else Pakistan would have ended with 250-260. So that was a huge blow. Next over Bumrah gets another wicket, with another cutter. 

Clearly, Pakistan did not learn anything because it was only towards the end when Shaheen bowled that cutter that got Rohit out. We would have thought that they would bowl the cutter even with the new ball. It is not written anywhere that the new ball has to be bowled at a certain pace. You can change it, but nothing of those sorts was seen from the Pakistan bowlers,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.