Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s pace spearhead, had a night to forget as he struggled in the death overs, conceding 55 runs in his last three overs, including a 25-run final over. Known for his ability to swing the ball early and bowl lethal yorkers at the death, Shaheen’s expensive spell has sparked discussions about Pakistan’s death bowling vulnerabilities ahead of crucial upcoming tournaments.
Facing a well-set batting lineup in the final overs, Shaheen was expected to use his experience and variations to restrict the opposition. However, he found himself at the receiving end of some brutal hitting. His execution of yorkers and slower deliveries was inconsistent, allowing the opposition batters to capitalize on the loose deliveries. The final over, which went for 25 runs, proved to be the most damaging, pushing Pakistan into a position of disadvantage.
Shaheen’s struggles in the death overs have been a growing concern for Pakistan. While his ability to strike early in the powerplay remains one of his biggest strengths, his performances at the back end of an innings have been under the scanner in recent matches. His economy rate in the final overs has seen a sharp rise, making Pakistan rethink their bowling strategy in high-pressure situations.
One of the possible reasons behind Shaheen’s struggles could be the conditions. Bowling in the latter stages of a match often demands a mix of variations, including well-directed yorkers, slower balls, and wide deliveries outside off stump. If a bowler becomes predictable, aggressive batters can easily anticipate their lengths and target them accordingly. In recent games, Shaheen has been unable to consistently nail his yorkers, resulting in full-tosses or half-volleys that have been dispatched to the boundary with ease.
Pakistan’s bowling attack has always been one of its biggest strengths, but the team management will need to address their death-over concerns quickly. The lack of an effective supporting cast in the final overs has also put additional pressure on Shaheen. Without a reliable second option, opposition teams have been able to target him freely, knowing that he has to take on the bulk of the responsibility.
For Shaheen, this performance will serve as a learning experience. As one of the most talented left-arm pacers in world cricket, he has the skillset to adapt and improve. He will likely work closely with Pakistan’s coaching staff to refine his execution under pressure. With tournaments like the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup approaching, Pakistan will need Shaheen at his best in the crucial final overs.
While one off day doesn’t define a bowler of his caliber, Shaheen will be eager to bounce back stronger. His ability to strike early in an innings is unmatched, but for Pakistan to dominate in white-ball cricket, they will need him to be just as effective in the death overs. The coming matches will be crucial in determining whether he can fine-tune his approach and regain his reputation as one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the game.