Bhogle picks Shaheen among bowlers who can break into ‘fab four’

Famous Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle has picked Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi among the emerging crop of fast-bowlers, who have the potential to break into pacers ‘fab four’, which also includes India’s Jasprit Bumrah, South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada, Australia’s Pat Cummins and New Zealand’s Trent Boult.

While speaking in ICC’s digital show Cricket Inside Out, Bhogle said that he hopes Pakistan’s lanky left-arm pacer has a long career.

“In that fast-bowling factory of the world, I only hope they produce long-term fast-bowlers because I have just noticed that Hasan Ali, who was so full of promise, has dropped out of the contract list," said Bhogle. “But from Pakistan, there is Naseem Shah, but the one I like more than anyone else is Shaheen Afridi. A big left-hander who has got pace, but I hope he has got the staying power. Because if you look at [Mohammad] Amir, [Mohammad] Asif, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Hasan Ali. So many have come and gone. I am really hoping that he has the longevity."

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The Indian commentator also named England’s Jofra Archer and South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi, along with Shaheen, who have the promise to carry the torch of pace bowling in future.

Earlier this month, Bhogle rued the fact that Pakistan cricket has lost some really talented players in the last decade.

“Pakistan have lost more than three and a half talented players in last 10 years,” he said. “First would be Mohammad Asif, who many batsmen still rate as the best they faced. I would still say Pakistan has lost Mohammad Amir, although he has bowled well at times.”

“Third would be Umar Akmal and more than half would be Ahmed Shehzad,” he added.