Bowling slow balls important in West Indies: Shaheen

LAHORE: Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is all set for his first tour of the Caribbean and is eager to utilise the full range of deliveries in his repertoire when Pakistan take on the West Indies in the five-T20I series, which commences on Tuesday (today).

Shaheen has been one of the most successful left-arm quicks in the format since his debut on April 3, 2018, against the West Indies at Karachi’s National Stadium.

The 21-year-old has snared 31 wickets at 26.22 in 28 matches and is the second best left-arm pacer behind West Indies’ Sheldon Cottrell (33 wickets at 21.69).

Shaheen believes that slower deliveries play a crucial role in the success of a fast bowler and they will be an integral part of his plans throughout the five T20Is, which will mark the national side’s first assignment in the format in the Caribbean since 2017 when they won the four-match series 3-1.

Speaking in a video message on the sidelines of the national side’s training session, Shaheen said: “Considering the true nature of the pitches in T20Is, the pacers have to rely on variations to unsettle batsmen. One can even consider delivering two to three slower balls in an over. I do not shy away from using the slower balls.”

He said T20 was fast-paced cricket. “It keeps you on your toes. One needs to be quick in decision-making and correct in deciding when to bowl the slower ball,” he added.