Former England captain-turned-commentator Michael Vaughan has heaped praise on Pakistan’s young bowling sensations Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah ahead of the upcoming three-match Test series starting on Wednesday (August 5) in Old Trafford.
Vaughan believes that the young high-class pair Afridi and Shah have enough talent to become the next Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis – a menacing partnership in the 1980s and 1990s for Pakistan.
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Speaking to Cricbuzz, Vaughan said: “I understand why Misbah wants to play two spinners against England. Whichever way it goes, you are still going to have Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi. They are high class. Particularly that young pair, we are probably talking about the new Wasim and Waqar in five years’ time, with the amount of cricket that they are going to play together.”
He further added, “I was fortunate to see Naseem Shah make his debut and he is high class. He has got a wonderful action. Shaheen Afridi seems to be getting better and better. With the duke ball, Mohammad Abbas is going to move it and bring the batsman forward, which is exactly what you require.”
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The former English batsman also lauded Pakistani batsmen, saying if the visitors managed to post 350 or 400 on the board; they will be in a better position against the hosts in the upcoming Test series.
Vaughan further added, “They are certainly a batting unit, which can get 350 or 400 runs if they get to bat first at Old Trafford and that’s going to be the key. England will know that if Babar gets to 30 or 40, he will get a big score. Azhar Ali has got a decent record in England and has played a lot of county cricket. This Pakistan team looks a lot more threatening and can cause an upset if they bat first.”
Noteworthy, it will Pakistan’s first international fixture since the Coronavirus-forced hiatus while the hosts England will be heading into the Test series with a terrific 2-1 win over West Indies last month.
(With Cricbuzz Inputs)
