NEW DELHI: Former captain and head coach of India Ravi Shastri caused a stir with his remark Shaheen Shah Afridi proverb don’t exaggerate Pakistan’s pace by comparing it with legendary Wasim Akram.
Shastri made the comments while commentating the India-Pakistan match in Ahmedabad on October 14.

“He is a good bowler, he can take wickets with the new ball.

But you have to admit that if Naseem Shah is not playing and the quality of Pakistan’s spin bowling is like this, then Shaheen Shah Afridi koi Wasim Akram nai hai! Acche bowler hai. Lekin itna bhi jyaada chadane ka koi zaroorat nahi hai. Jab hai theek thak, toh bolna chahiye woh theek thaak hai. Chadha ke nahin bithana chahiye ki bohot zabardast hai. Yeh nahi hai! Yeh maan na padega. (Shaheen Afridi may be a skilful bowler, but it is important not to exaggerate his abilities by comparing him to Wasim Akram. While he is undoubtedly a good bowler, it is important to limit our praise to recognition of his expertise. He may not achieve the status of a great bowler and we have to acknowledge that fact,” he said Shastri.

Reacting to Shastri’s remark, Akram said that Shaheen is one of the best pacers at the moment and the former India player is his good friend and he has the right to have his own opinion.
“I have read about it. Ravi is a good friend of mine, that’s his opinion. If you want to compare yourself with any top bowlers in the world, Shaheen is one of the best right now,” Akram said during a discussion on A Sports. .

Left-arm spinner Shaheen hasn’t been at his best since returning from a knee injury and has yet to make an impact in the World Cup. However, he scored five goals against Australia in Bengaluru.
“Maybe he’s out of touch, low on confidence, but he’ll come back. He’s young. When he plays Test cricket, he’ll get his rhythm back, start taking wickets. He’s on the right track,” added Akram.