India will face Pakistan in their opening match on Sunday (October 23) at the MCG.
Ahead of the India vs Pakistan clash at the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2022 on Sunday (October 23) at the MCG, the 1983 World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev gave a shocking statement about Mohammad Shami and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
While Shaheen has been a key bowler in the Pakistan line-up and has been doing a great job with the ball for the past few years, Shami returned to India’s T20I squad as a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah for the T20 World Cup 2022 and is likely to play his first T20I match on Sunday since the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Well, when the legendary all-rounder was asked whether Shami and Shaheen could be the deciding factors in the high-octane clash, he categorically denied comparing the duo, saying that the Pakistan left-arm seamer is miles ahead of the Indian pacer given the current form.
Kapil Dev said in a joint broadcast of Samaa TV and ABP News: “You can't judge anything by just one over. Afridi was spot on when talked about looking at the performances of the last two years where Shaheen has been very good. Whenever he has got an opportunity, he has made an impact.”
He further explained, “I wouldn't even like to compare (Shami and Shaheen). Shami hasn't played a lot of cricket of late. I would have perhaps compared Bumrah with Afridi if he was there but can't compare Shami and Afridi because there is a lot of difference. If you look at the last few years, Shaheen's performances have been outstanding. He has used the new ball brilliantly.”
Dev signed off by saying, “As a bowler you always try to pick wickets in the first six overs to give your team a good start. Shami too has had some very good spells with the new-ball. Both Shami and Shaheen know how to bowl with the new ball. It's a big match coming up and we'll get to know who bowls better.”