According to Aakash Chopra, the fact that Shaheen Afridi will not be participating in the Asia Cup 2022 is a significant setback for Pakistan’s hopes of winning the competition.
A phenomenal effort from the young boys. Whoever got a chance, grabbed it with both hands. Great display of fast bowling from both ends by @iNaseemShah and @Wasim_Jnr 👏🏻
Congratulations Team Pakistan 🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/cvwYBM0iXn
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) August 21, 2022
The United Arab Emirates will play host to the Asia Cup from August 27 until September 11. Due to a knee injury, Shaheen Afridi was not selected to be a part of Pakistan‘s team for the competition. Chopra expressed his opinion in a video that was uploaded on his YouTube account and said that the absence of the lanky left-arm bowler is a significant setback for Pakistan, saying:
“I believe that this is a significant setback for Pakistan’s hopes. The exact same thing can be said of Bumrah as well. In addition to him, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel are also absent from the scene. Therefore, it was a double setback for us.”
Aakash Chopra talks about the bowlers that both the teams are missing
Chopra feels that their western neighbour’s bowling has also been significantly weakened, even though India has also been given a hit owing to the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel. The former India opener provided more explanation, saying:
“When I look at Arshdeep, Avesh Khan, and Bhuvneshwar, the bowling attack appears like it may need some improvement. It is a reality, and I do not deny it. However, Pakistan is likewise unable to avoid facing the truth. It’s not that they don’t have bowling stars or anything. They may choose among many different players. Shadab Khan is having a good day at the crease, but he isn’t bowling well enough to take many wickets.”
Every player of our playing 11 is a match winner. Wishing my team the best of luck for upcoming Asia Cup.
To the fans, keep me in your prayers for my quick recovery. I'll be back soon Inshallah pic.twitter.com/jW9gGpWWQX
— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) August 20, 2022
In the two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) that Shadab Khan competed in during the just-completed series against the Netherlands, he did not take any wickets. Although he has not participated in a Twenty20 International so far in 2022, the leg-spinner has taken 73 wickets in the 64 Twenty20 matches that he has played for Pakistan.
