Stats Prove Shaheen Afridi’s Incredible Downfall After Injury

AfOnce regarded as one of the finest pacers in World Cricket, Shaheen Afridi is a shadow of his former self. His incredible dip in form has been a major cause of concern for Pakistan as the Men in Green have struggled to put on notable performances.

Shaheen Afridi’s career trajectory has taken a noticeable downturn since he sustained a significant injury during the 2022 T20 World Cup final as he aggravated his knee injury which led him to sit on the treatment table for almost a year.

Before this setback, Shaheen’s record in Test cricket was exemplary, with 99 wickets in just 42 innings, boasting a remarkable average of 24.86, including 4 five-wicket hauls.

The Eagle looked set to become one of the finest bowlers produced by Pakistan but the ill-timing of his injury majorly halted his progress. Shaheen, after a significant rehab period came back to the national side, aiming to get back to his best and help win Pakistan matches.

However, since his injury, his performance has seen a major downturn, capturing only 16 wickets in 10 innings at a much less impressive average of 40.81, with a higher economy rate and no five-wicket hauls.

Shaheen Afridi Test Cricket stats:

The ongoing Test series against Bangladesh has further highlighted Shaheen’s struggles. In the first Test, he managed to claim two wickets but conceded 88 runs. His first wicket came after bowling 27.5 overs in the innings, which did not bode well for the Men in Green.

This reflected signs of inconsistency and a lack of the lethal edge that once made Shaheen Afridi a formidable force. This decline was apparent in the recently concluded 2024 T20 World Cup, where he secured just five wickets in four matches, with an average of 21.00—a stark contrast to his pre-injury form.

Adding to the physical injury, Shaheen has been front and centre of the ongoing ‘politics’ within the national side, which might have led to a toll on his mental health. Shaheen was appointed as the captain of Pakistan’s T20I side in November 2023, replacing Babar Azam.

After a regime change, for the umpteenth time in the PCB, Shaheen Afridi was removed as the captain after only one series, which Pakistan lost 3-1 to New Zealand, as the new chairman, Mohsin Naqvi re-appointed Babar Azam as the limited-overs captain.

This led to a ruckus on social media and Shaheen, being hard done by the PCB, was made the scapegoat for Pakistan’s underwhelming performances.

As Pakistan faces increasing pressure following their crushing 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh, concerns are mounting over how to restore Shaheen to his peak. Many cricket experts are of the opinion that Shaheen might benefit from taking a break from the international scene, potentially returning to first-class cricket to rebuild his form and confidence.

One thing is for certain, Shaheen Afridi is not someone who gives up easily, and one can only wish that he gets back to his best soon.