Shaheen, Naseem can be new Wasim, Waqar: Michael Vaughan

Former England captain Micheal Vaughan believes young pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have potential to become the next Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

While speaking on Cricbuzz YouTube channel, Vaughan said that Pakistan pacers are likely to test the technique of England batsmen, in the three-match Test series starting from August 5 at Old Trafford, Manchester.

“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,” said Vaughan.

“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,” he added.

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The 45-year-old also believes that Pakistan would be relying on their Test captain Azhar Ali and top-order batsman Babar Azam to put competitive totals on the board.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

The final two Tests will be played at the Rose Bowl, Southampton, from Thursday, August 13 and Friday, August 21.