In the ongoing World Cup 2023, left-arm speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi has emerged as a standout performer for Pakistan, securing an impressive tally of 16 wickets in six matches. The youngster expressed his admiration for former all-rounder Shahid Afridi, stating that his goal is to play like his hero.
On October 31, in a crucial World Cup clash against Bangladesh at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Shaheen Shah Afridi achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fastest pacer to reach 100 wickets in ODIs. He accomplished this feat in just his 51st match.
“Breaking records is a part of the game, and I’m delighted that we’ve made history for Pakistan,” Afridi told Geo Sports.
He then went on to reveal the influence of Shahid Afridi on his cricketing journey.
“I look upto Shahid Afridi as my hero, and I strive to play cricket like him. He always shares valuable tips with us,” he added.
In the match against Babar Azam’s Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi showcased his prowess, with remarkable figures of 9-1-23-3. With 16 wickets, he currently shares the position of the joint-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing tournament.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s previous struggles in the tournament, Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed confidence after their seven-wicket victory over the Tigers.
“Our goal remains to be among the top four teams. Today, our focus was on wrapping up the match swiftly and boosting our net run rate,” he said.
“As a team, our recent performances haven’t been up to par. We made some costly errors, and dropped catches. Better fielding could have improved our results,” he added.
Currently fifth in the table with six points and a net run rate of -0.024, Pakistan’s next challenge is against New Zealand on November 4.