PCB grants Shaheen Afridi permission to showcase his pace for Kandy Royals this season.
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Afridi Joins Kandy Royals
Pakistan’s finest fast bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, is set to embark on a new journey as the Pakistan Cricket Board cleared him to participate in the Lanka Premier League. The Kandy Royals bought the coveted pacer, and the fans are excited to witness his extraordinary yorkers in the upcoming tournament.
In addition to his other achievements, Afridi has become a crucial asset for his team’s bowling attack in the shortest format of the game. He is a lethal bowler who has been a constant thorn in the sides of batters in the last couple of years. Shaheen Afridi’s career path has crossed several intriguing turns and bends.
A Step Away From Test Cricket?
The phenomenal seamer saw his name missing from the latest Test squad for the fixtures against West Indies and England. Afridi’s average performance in red-ball cricket has been a cause of concern for the selectors, although he has been outstanding in limited-overs cricket.
Moreover, Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed recently revealed that players had to make up their minds about which format of the game they wanted to specialize in. With the Test match series against West Indies overlapping with the Lanka Premier League, Afridi has opted for the shorter version of the game.
A Star In The Limited Overs Format
Although his red-ball bowling has disappointed fans, Afridi’s mastery of the white ball has seen him flourish in limited-overs cricket. Recently, he captained the Pakistan ODI team and led his side to a memorable series victory over Australia. Afridi was the second-highest wicket-taker in the campaign and was a constant menace for the Aussie batters.
In fact, the Pakistan seamer is an asset in the 50-over format, having claimed 136 wickets in 128 T20 internationals, the best among Pakistan bowlers. However, Afridi’s recent stint in the franchise leagues has not gone smoothly for him.
Trouble In The Franchise Leagues?
Afridi joined the Brisbane Heat for the Big Bash League in Australia last year, but he did not enjoy the experience. The seamer was unable to adjust to the bouncy Australian pitches and managed to pick just two wickets in four games.
Shaheen Afridi will be hoping that his return to Sri Lanka will see him right back in the form that has made him one of the most feared bowlers in T20 cricket. With the soft nature of subcontinental pitches, he should be able to find his rhythm and reverse swing without much difficulty.
The Kandy Royals’ Journey Begins
The wait for him to bowl in the familiar jerseys will not be for long. Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to debut for the Kandy Royals in the Lanka Premier League, which kicks off later this month.
The tournament is scheduled to begin in the middle of next month and run through the first week of August.
They have a busy tournament ahead, and Afridi’s introduction to the team is likely to change several things. The seamer is expected to debut against Dambulla Sixers in the tournament opener in Colombo.
A Turning Point In Afridi’s Career
The 26-year-old pacer will be looking to make the Lanka Premier League a turning point in his career. By opting to play in the LPL, Afridi will be able to take a break from the grueling five-day Tests and focus on the explosive T20 format.
It is still too early to tell if this turn of events will signal the end of Afridi’s Test career, but Pakistani cricket fans are excited to see one of the game’s best fast bowlers bowl at a blistering pace under the lights of a stadium.
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