Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Thursday came out in support of Shaheen Afridi, his son-in-law and star pacer in response to recent remarks by ex-national speedster Shoaib Akhtar.
Akhtar, better known as Rawalpindi Express for being the fastest bowler in the world, had criticised the left-arm pacer for his departure from the ground following an injury in last year’s T20 World Cup final against England.
According to him, Shaheen missed a major opportunity as he failed to complete the over at a crucial time of the match.
"If I was in his [Shaheen's] place, I would have become the greatest celebrity of Pakistan during those 12 minutes by bowling the same number of deliveries," Akhtar said during an interview.
"I would've come to bowl, fall, break my knees, but I would've got up, used injection to numb my knees, and repeated the same again," he added.
In his response, Afridi noted that it was, nonetheless, risky for a pacer to play on with injury as doing so could ruin their career.
Read this too: Shaheen Afridi To Design Lahore Qalandars Kit
“Shoaib Akhtar took so many injections that he can't walk now” the all-rounder was quoted as saying.
He added, “See, this is Shoaib Akhtar's class; he can do that. It's difficult, though not everyone can be him."
Afridi stressed that it was difficult to play with injury if you take injections and pain-killers. "Then, you risk aggravating the injury further. Anyway, let's leave Shoaib Akhtar alone!”
England had managed the 139-run target, set by green-shirts, enabled by a half-century by Ben Stokes.
As for Shaheen, he recovered from his injury and is now the in-charge of champions, Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Edition 8.
Afridi recently made headlines after he gave a 'brotherly advice' to star pacer Mohammad Amir after the latter threw ball in Babar Azam's direction during the league match.
He was reported to have urged Amir to refrain from such moves now that he has made his way back to the sport.
Akhtar, better known as Rawalpindi Express for being the fastest bowler in the world, had criticised the left-arm pacer for his departure from the ground following an injury in last year’s T20 World Cup final against England.
According to him, Shaheen missed a major opportunity as he failed to complete the over at a crucial time of the match.
"If I was in his [Shaheen's] place, I would have become the greatest celebrity of Pakistan during those 12 minutes by bowling the same number of deliveries," Akhtar said during an interview.
"I would've come to bowl, fall, break my knees, but I would've got up, used injection to numb my knees, and repeated the same again," he added.
In his response, Afridi noted that it was, nonetheless, risky for a pacer to play on with injury as doing so could ruin their career.
Read this too: Shaheen Afridi To Design Lahore Qalandars Kit
“Shoaib Akhtar took so many injections that he can't walk now” the all-rounder was quoted as saying.
He added, “See, this is Shoaib Akhtar's class; he can do that. It's difficult, though not everyone can be him."
Afridi stressed that it was difficult to play with injury if you take injections and pain-killers. "Then, you risk aggravating the injury further. Anyway, let's leave Shoaib Akhtar alone!”
England had managed the 139-run target, set by green-shirts, enabled by a half-century by Ben Stokes.
As for Shaheen, he recovered from his injury and is now the in-charge of champions, Lahore Qalandars in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) Edition 8.
Afridi recently made headlines after he gave a 'brotherly advice' to star pacer Mohammad Amir after the latter threw ball in Babar Azam's direction during the league match.
He was reported to have urged Amir to refrain from such moves now that he has made his way back to the sport.