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Former Gujarat batter Priyank Panchal has criticised Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi after his wicketless spell against India in the T20 Asia Cup 2025 clash on September 21. Panchal wonders why there is much hype around Afridi who has been under-par in the recent years, especially against India. The 35-year-old went on to say that the first-class bowlers in India are capable of delivery better spells, featuring more consistency that Pakistan's opening bowler.
“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 his X account.
Afridi was hit for a six off the first ball of the innings he bowled to Abhishek Sharma. In 3.5 overs, he ended up conceding 40 runs. He was wicketless against India in the group stage game as well, conceding 23 runs from two overs.
Panchal slams Rauf too
Panchal also criticised Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf who could not make a mark straightaway. The 35-year-old bashed Rauf for his unnecessary antics in the game. He went on to say that the entire Pakistan team is built on hype and fails to perform on the international stage.
“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 wrote.
Who is Priyank Panchal?
Panchal announced his retirement from all forms of cricket earlier this year. He came close to making his Test debut when he was named as injure replacement for Rohit Sharma in home test series against England.
He played a pivotal role in Gujarat's Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title wins. In the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, he amassed 1,310 runs, featuring his career best 314 not out.
From 127 first-class games, he scored 8,856 runs at an average of 45.18, including 29 centuries and 34 half-centuries. In List A cricket, he scored 3,672 runs from 97 appearances at an average of 40.80, including eight centuries and 21 fifties. He never got to make his Indian Premier League (IPL) debut either.
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