Shaheen Afridi vs Wasim Akram Feud? Pacer’s ‘Shut Up’ Celebration After Criticism Raises Speculation

There is an fascinating narrative that’s being spoken about in Pakistan cricket nowadays. It’s a perceived tussle between Shaheen Afridi and Wasim Akram. It all began when Wasim Akram criticised Shaheen Afridi’s batting prowess as he promoted himself up the order in a Pakistan Super League sport. Lahore Qalandars captain Shaheen Afridi  in a match towards Karachi Kings scored and was blasted by Akram for selling himself forward of Sikandar Raza and David Weise.

“Shaheen scored 1 off 3, while Raza scored 22 off 16 & Wiese 24 off 9. They took the score to 177. It’s not mandatory that if you are captain you have to come out to bat. Observe the situation & whether there are better players & hitters in the dugout. If Shaheen had done that maybe they would have made 190. “Shaheen must be informed that he hasn’t turn out to be an all-rounder but,” Akram had said.

A day later, Shaheen struck a 34-ball 55, while batting at 5, agianst Quetta Gladiators. After that he did a ‘shut up’ celebration. It is being seen as a reply to Wasim Akram.

Belting them out of the park!

for skipper Shaheen #HBLPSL9 | #KhulKeKhel | #QGvLQ pic.twitter.com/grsh4f1VSh

— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 10, 2024

Later in  the game, Shaheen conceded a last ball six as Quetta Gladiators registered a six-wickets win. Akram criticised Shaheen for his poor bowling in the death overs against the Quetta Gladiators.

“Shaheen is a really skilled bowler. He is the captain of Pakistan group as properly. He is enjoying worldwide cricket for 5 years now,” said Akram on ‘The Pavilion.

“He wished to bowl a size ball however as an alternative he ought to have bowled full. Edge lag ke chauka jaaye (It does not matter if he would have conceded a boundary via edge) not an issue. I feel it once more is a studying curve for Shaheen. I feel on this PSL, he isn’t capable of bowl properly within the demise overs.

“The game was in control…” legendary pacer @wasimakramlive feedback on #ShaheenShahAfridi‘s battle within the demise overs.#ASportsHD #ThePavilion #HBLPSL9 #WasimAkram #MohammadHafeez #MisbahUlHaq #AzharAli #FakhreAlam #QGvLQ pic.twitter.com/0iGhdg4EVs

— ASports (@asportstvpk) March 10, 2024

“Even with the new ball, we all were watching it together, he was bowling half volleys. He needs to understand that batsmen now have understood that the first two balls from Shaheen will be yorkers. In the death he will either bowl slower cutter or will on the stumps around the wicket. Batsmen are prepare for it now,” he added.