Priyank Panchal Sparks India’s Rout as Shaheen Afridi Endures Bowling Nightmare

Priyank Panchal, a former captain of Gujarat, questioned if Shaheen Afridi has lived up to the hype, citing his lack of speed, zip, and consistency. Following a lacklustre bowling display in Pakistan's Asia Cup Super 4 match against India on Sunday, September 21, the left-arm bowler was widely criticised.

In the intense match, Afridi let up 40 runs in just 3.5 overs, a display that sparked intense social media reactions. On X (previously Twitter), Panchal posted, “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."

Shaheen Afridi Gets Slammed:

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. #INDvPAK

— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) September 21, 2025

Afridi's career path seems to have taken a turn for the worse since his standout performance. He has lost the swing that once made him a powerful force, and his pace has become erratic. Abhishek Sharma took advantage of this right on, establishing the tone for a commanding performance with a six off Afridi's opening delivery.

The Super 4 game was played in Dubai, where Afridi had previously caused problems for leading Indian batsmen, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul, during Pakistan's historic victory in 2021. But Afridi's professional path seems to have taken a turn for the worse since then. His swing, which used to make him formidable, is conspicuously lacking, and his pace has become erratic.

All things considered, Afridi's performance stood in sharp contrast to that of India's top bowlers, who have continuously performed well under duress. Critics like Panchal contend that Afridi is no longer the feared bowler he once was because of his costly spell and apparent lack of discipline. In a match that was both exciting and tense, India's hitters, led by Abhishek Sharma, secured a convincing victory, underscoring the disparity in form between the two sides.

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