Pakistan's superstar pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, has a golden opportunity to etch his name in World Test Championship (WTC) history as he prepares to face England in a three-match Test series starting on Monday, October 7.
Shaheen Afridi on the brink of WTC history
The 24-year-old left-arm seamer is just seven wickets away from becoming the first Pakistani bowler to claim 100 wickets in the WTC. Since making his Test debut in 2018, Afridi has been a key figure in Pakistan's WTC campaign. With 93 wickets in 25 matches, he has consistently troubled opposition batsmen with his lethal pace and swing. However, despite his impressive record, no Pakistani bowler has yet achieved the milestone of 100 WTC wickets.
Afridi's recent omission from Pakistan's playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi added an extra layer of motivation. The talented pacer will be eager to make a statement and prove his worth against a strong English batting lineup.
As the Pakistan-England Test series unfolds, cricket fans will be captivated by Shaheen Afridi's pursuit of a historic milestone. His performance could impact the outcome of the series and solidify his reputation as one of the world's premier fast bowlers.
The 21-year-old right-arm fast bowler, Naseem Shah, has made a big impact in Test cricket, claiming 54 wickets in 18 matches. Despite being dropped from Pakistan's playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh, his impressive performances have earned him a place in the squad for the upcoming series against England.
Another promising talent, Aamir Jamal, has also been included in Pakistan's squad. His impressive all-round show in the third Test against Australia in Sydney earlier this year has made him a strong contender for a place in the playing XI.
Pakistan's pace attack ready to fire
With Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Aamir Jamal in the squad, Pakistan boasts a formidable pace attack. The trio's combined skills and abilities will be crucial in their quest to dominate the English batting lineup. As the Pakistan-England Test series kicks off, cricket fans will be eager to see how these young and talented fast bowlers perform on the international stage. Their performances could significantly impact the outcome of the series and shape the future of Pakistan's cricket.
Pakistan's playing XI for the first Test against England:
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
England's playing XI for first Test against Pakistan:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.
