What makes Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi so special?

Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi has become the number one bowler in the ICC Men's ODI bowlers' rankings. The left-arm pacer has jumped seven places in the points table after clinching 16 wickets in seven matches of the World Cup.

Shaheen has dethroned Australia's Josh Hazlewood by acquiring 673 points, 10 more than Hazlewood, who now occupies the second spot with 663 points. Afridi has also emerged as the leading bowler with 16 scalps in the World Cup 2023.

Afridi’s sensation come back in the World Cup

• The left-arm pacer struggled with his pace in the first two matches against Sri Lanka and India.

• Although he did manage to take wickets in those matches, his pace had dropped to nearly 135 kmph, and he couldn't find wickets with the new ball.

• However, Shaheen Afridi scripted his comeback with a five-wicket haul against Australia. Despite Pakistan's loss in the match, Afridi ended his spell with figures of 5/54.

What makes him so special?

• Afridi has the ability to trouble top-class batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli with his inswing deliveries.

• According to former Pakistani cricketer Aquib Javed, Shaheen Shah's 'wrist' is the most complex factor. "Over the years, the notable difference between pacers from Pakistan and those from the rest of the world is the wrist.

• Tape ball cricket helps us to impart a whip to the hard ball with the wrist, and that makes a significant difference," Aaqib Javed told the Indian Express.

  Shaheen shah Afridi moving the ball at 148 before injury
  I swear i have not seen wasim akram bowling like that #ShaheenAfridi #PAKvsNZ pic.twitter.com/KPqOZAPxCS

  — zubair khan (@Muhamma14315400) November 2, 2023

• He mentioned that it's that 'whip of the wrist' that allows the ball to swing late and enables him to bowl a deadly slower ball.

• His ability to swing the ball very late makes him one of the most feared fast pacers in the world today.

• Aaqib further shared that Shaheen also doesn't compromise on his arm speed but diminishes the pace with his wrist. These subtle intricacies in Shaheen's deliveries make him truly special.

• Although right-handed batters often practice with a clear strategy to tackle Shaheen's late in-swingers, no technology can predict whether the ball released from Shaheen's hand will bend or maintain its seam as it reaches the batsman.

• It is this skill of Shaheen that confuses the batsmen, forcing them to make tough decisions on whether to play or leave the ball.

• According to Aaqib, batsmen should focus on facing the deliveries rather than worrying about the bowlers. "They need to forget who is bowling."

Pakistan’s hopes pinned on Shaheen

• Pakistan is at a critical juncture in the World Cup, where a defeat will eliminate them from the tournament.
• After enduring four consecutive losses, the team found their footing again with a victory against Bangladesh.
• Shaheen Afridi has a pivotal role to play in the upcoming match against New Zealand, which Pakistan won. He concluded his spell of nine overs with figures of 23 runs and three wickets.
• Following Naseem Shah's exclusion from the World Cup squad due to injury, the responsibility rested on Afridi and Haris Rauf to deliver.
• In the absence of any special 'mystery' spinner in the team, Afridi became a significant asset for Pakistan.

Pakistan will next face New Zealand in a do-or-die match on November 4 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.