Pakistan’s star pacer, Shaheen Afridi, is on the brink of eclipsing a significant milestone as the team gears up for the first ODI against South Africa at Boland Park, Paarl tomorrow.
The much-anticipated clash on Tuesday marks the start of a three-match series where Pakistan, led by Mohammad Rizwan, will aim to bounce back from their lackluster T20I performances.
The left-arm speedster is just four wickets away from surpassing the legendary Wasim Akram as Pakistan’s third most successful bowler against South Africa in international cricket and only two away from surpassing Shoaib Akhtar.
| Bowler | Innings | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Waqar Younis | 43 | 82 |
| Saeed Ajmal | 36 | 65 |
| Wasim Akram | 31 | 48 |
| Shoaib Akhtar | 26 | 46 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 25 | 45 |
Shaheen Afridi’s efficiency is remarkable, as he is poised to overtake Akram with fewer matches played, solidifying his position among Pakistan’s bowling elite.
Despite his potential, Shaheen Afridi delivered inconsistent performances in the preceding T20I series, taking three wickets in two matches. However, his prowess as a match-winner in ODIs is unquestioned, and Pakistan will count on his classical swing bowling to make an impact in Paarl.
For Rizwan’s men, the ODI opener offers a chance to reset and regain momentum after their T20 failures. A strong showing from Shaheen Afridi could be the key to turning the tide, not only boosting the team’s prospects but also cementing his place among Pakistan’s bowling legends.