Asia Cup 2025: Wasim Akram Hails Shaheen Afridi's Return to Form Ahead of Tournament

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is slowly getting back in rhythm. The fast bowler, who had been out of form since the 2022 T20 World Cup, has shown signs of returning to form in the recently concluded tri-series. Former cricketer Wasim Akram, speaking ahead of the tournament, said that he is excited to see Shaheen back in action in the T20 tournament.

The fast bowler stole the limelight in the T20 World Cup 2021 when he dismantled the Indian top order. However, Shaheen has not really hit those peaks again. The fast bowler faced a ligament injury soon after his 2021 heroics, which saw him getting sidelined for several months.

Shaheen returned in the T20 World Cup 2022 but never really looked the same bowler again.

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After two tumultuous years in Pakistan cricket, the fast bowler finally showed signs of returning to form with some searing spells against West Indies and in the tri-series. Speaking about the same, Akram said that he was excited to see Shaheen's progress in the continental tournament.

"Shaheen Shah Afridi is definitely back into his rhythm. I saw him just recently. He was sprinting in every ball and was bowling at 140ks, and that is good enough for me. I want Shaheen to concentrate on his bowling and batting. He is still a young man. He gets angry very quickly, upset very quickly. He has to learn and move on quickly. He needs to have tunnel vision, focus, and let things settle themselves," Akram said.

Pakistan will take on Oman in their tournament opener on Friday, September 12. Two days later, they will face India in the marquee clash of the tournament.

Ahead of the Asia Cup, Pakistan captain Salman Agha has said that the team is building well without superstars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, and that they are here to challenge for the trophy and play with aggression.

Pakistan's Asia Cup Squad

Salman Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Wasim Jr