Love to bowl at Bangladeshis: Shaheen Afridi

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi said Pindi wicket is always helpful to fast bowlers and he was glad and to manage to pick four wickets for Pakistan.

Talking to media after first day’s play of first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, Shaheen said he is always thankful to Almighty that in such a short time, Allah has given him so much success.

He said Bangladesh are a very good side and his best performances in One Day and T20 International are against them and he loves to bowl at these guys.

He said that fast bowlers got a lot of help especially in the morning session. “I utilised conditions well and manage to get wicket in the very first over. We have a great and balanced team and we will try to win the match.”

Shaheen who was looked frustrated in the field for not getting the fifth wicket considering the fact to remain away from the honour board at Pindi Stadium, which had some of the greats named mentioned who had taken 5 wickets or more in a Test innings. When asked whether he showed same in the dressing room as well, Shaheen replied: “It’s a team game and I never had in my mind whether to pick one wicket or four. I just play for team cause and always want to contribute in the best manner.”

He said his performance was improving with each passing day and he was working very hard with bowling coach Waqar Younus and brother Riaz Afridi to sharpen his skills.

When asked about what is the difference between bowling in Test, ODIs and T20s, Shaheen said there is a lot of difference in three different formats and he tries to adopt accordingly. “In Tests a lot of hard work is required while in T20 fast cricket is being played.

About bowling along M Abbas on the other end, who is not an express bowler like him or Naseem Shah, Shaheen said Abbas is a senior player and he guides them and helps them a great deal. “He is a proven stuff in Test matches and we also try to follow his line and length and learn how to use new ball.”

On a question that he manages to get one or two wickets early but has to wait longer for the next one, Shaheen said the beauty of the Test cricket is that you can’t get five wickets or more in a single go and every batsman and bowler has a complete chance to apply himself in the game.

Bangladesh optimistic

While sharing his views Bangladeshi middle order batsman Najmul Hossain Santo, who scored 63 runs, said Pakistan bowlers bowled really well and, wicket was also providing assistance to them and they utilise conditions quiet well.

“We played well after surviving the initial spell. I and Mahmoodullah had good partnership, but we didn’t have 100 runs stand, which could have made difference. Although 233 is not a big total but it is a decent one. If we manage to pick early wickets, we can still stage a comeback in the match. If we had played with more patience, we could have scored more runs.”

He said it is always very challenging to play against Pakistani bowlers as they are very good but wicket was pretty good for batting as well.

“Shaheen and Abbas bowled well and they bowled lot of maiden overs. We have to follow the same plan and restrict Pakistani batsmen as much as we can. We have good chance of doing well as there is lot of cricket still left to play and we want to fight till the end.”