Follow UsFormer Gujarat captain Priyank Panchal has taken aim at Pakistan pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, branding them overhyped and insisting that domestic first-class bowlers show far greater consistency. His remarks came after India thrashed Pakistan by six wickets in their Asia Cup 2025 Super Four clash on September 21 (Sunday).
After Pakistan posted 171/5 in their 20 overs, Afridi was taken apart by Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Tilak Varma, conceding 40 runs in 3.5 wicketless overs. He had also gone for 23 runs in two overs in the group-stage fixture.
“I’ll always fail to understand the hype around Shaheen Afridi. Classic case of a few good deliveries years ago lengthening someone’s faltering career. No zip, no pace, no discipline. I’ve seen first-class bowlers deliver better spells with more consistency,” Panchal wrote on X.
To make matters worse, both Afridi and Rauf tried sledging Indian batters but couldn’t back it up with their bowling. Rauf fared better than Afridi, returning figures of 2/26 in four overs, but failed to make any real impact.
“I struggle to remember the last time Haris Rauf was effective. All talk, no play. Whole of Pakistani team is built on players hyped up internally by their ecosystem, who fizzle out internationally. False bravado can only take you so far in a game rewarding meritocracy,” Panchal added in another X post.
India will now face Bangladesh on September 24, while Pakistan meet Sri Lanka on September 22.