Former India pacer hails Shaheen Afridi’s back-to-basics approach in PAK vs ENG Super 8 match of T20 World Cup 2026

Shaheen Shah Afridi endured a relatively ordinary campaign during the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026, struggling to make an impact with the new ball—an area widely regarded as his strength. His inability to strike early invited considerable criticism. However, the left-arm pacer found his rhythm upon entering the Super 8 stage. In the 45th match of the tournament against England in Pallekele, Shaheen rediscovered his brilliance and emerged as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in the contest. Despite his impressive spell, Pakistan suffered a narrow two-wicket defeat. Nevertheless, Shaheen’s performance drew widespread appreciation, including praise from former Indian bowler Irfan Pathan.

Irfan Pathan explained what a bowler does when trying to find his rhythm, and Shaheen Shah Afridi did just that. Irfan mentioned that Shaheen usually bowls full and brings it back to right-handed Batters, but he didn't do that today. Shaheen bowled hard lengths and let the pitch do its work, which is what led to his success. Pakistan's strike pacer took four wickets for 30 runs in his four-over spell.

See Also: Watch: Shaheen Afridi dismissed in-form England opener Phil Salt for a Golden duck in ENG Vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match

"Shaheen Afridi didn’t try to bowl it full and bring it back into the right-handers today. Instead, he focused on hitting the deck hard and getting purchase from the pitch,"  Irfan Pathan wrote on social media platform X.

"When you’re looking to find rhythm, the best approach is often simple, run in hard and hit the surface with full effort. That’s exactly what he did, and he was rewarded for it," he added.

Shaheen Shah Afridi claims four wickets in crucial Super 8 clash against England

Batting first, Pakistan scored 164/9 and set England a target of 165 to win. Chasing the target, England were dealt a major blow by Shaheen Shah Afridi on the very first ball of the innings, dismissing Phil Salt. Shaheen then dismissed veteran Jos Buttler in his next over, who managed to score just 2 runs.

Shaheen Shah Afridi again struck in the third over of his spell, dismissing Jacob Bethell (8), who was caught by Sahibzada Farhan. He later returned to bowl the 17th over of the innings and endured a challenging start, conceding 17 runs off the five deliveries. However, he responded by claiming the prized wicket of England captain Harry Brook on the last ball of the over. Before getting out, Brook hit a six and a four in this over to reach his maiden T20I century. Despite Afridi’s impressive four-wicket haul, Pakistan were unable to defend the target and eventually went down in the final over.