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This once fiery pacer, who used to hit 145 km/h with ease, now seems to strain just to reach 136. The concern isn’t just his reduced pace—his signature swing has faded too. These days, he only seems to get wickets if a batsman decides to take him on, and even tailenders are giving him trouble.
Shaheen Afridi’s Decline in Pace and Swing: A Closer Look
There’s a growing sense that Shaheen Afridi has drifted from his roots, letting fame and off-field distractions impact his game. He once showed immense promise, consistently hitting 145 km/h, but now, his pace has dropped, and he lacks the sharpness and swing that made him dangerous. Here’s a glimpse into what might have led to this downturn:
Fitness Challenges and Overuse
In 2021, Shaheen Afridi could consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, often combining that pace with lethal swing. However, since then, he has struggled to even maintain a steady 130 km/h, possibly due to lingering injuries and fear of further aggravation. He was dealing with a knee injury, and while he undoubtedly wants to continue earning, it seems the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) pushed him too hard without allowing proper rehabilitation. This overuse between 2020 and 2024 has left him far from his best form.
young man’s career is important than world cup – – once a legend said
Mismanagement from the PCB also exacerbated the issue, as Shaheen was thrown into all formats and T20 leagues globally. For instance, he played in the 2021 World Cup while still nursing an injury and then re-injured himself attempting a diving catch. A significant knee surgery and lack of full recovery before returning to the field have severely impacted his mechanics, leading to a compromised run-up, a less powerful arm, and a loss of rhythm. His recent performances seem to indicate that he was never able to rebuild the muscle strength essential for consistent pace.
Playing Through Injuries: Shaheen seems to have been constantly pushing through injuries, which has compromised his ability to bowl at full strength. Even during the 2022 World Cup, he was not at 100%, yet still played, reportedly due to internal pressures.
