Umar Gul claims Pakistan desperately need Shaheen Afridi for T20 World Cup

Former Pakistan pacer and current Afghanistan bowling coach, Umar Gul has claimed that Pakistan desperately needs Shaheen Afridi to regain match fitness before the T20 World Cup kicks off in Australia later this year.

The left-arm pacer was earlier ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 due to an injury sustained in a Test series against Sri Lanka. His injury brought about a lot of criticism on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not utilising him properly. The criticism primarily compromised that Shaheen should have been rested against, as some would say, lesser sides.

Shaheen's absence in the bowling attack was felt deeply in their opener against India where the arch-rivals outshined Pakistan by 5 wickets thanks to a heroic all-round performance from Hardik Pandya.

Commenting on Shaheen's absence and Pakistan's lack of ability to cope with it, Umar Gul said that although Pakistan has a strong bowling unit but without Shaheen, it is not the same.

"Pakistan has very good fast bowlers. The bench is good, and the players need to be taken care of. Shaheen Shah Afridi will be very important for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, and he must be fit for the event," he said.

"Everyone said Shaheen was being overloaded as he continued to play but he also performed well," he further said. "Hasan Ali is getting in and out, and he is not in the same form as before. He has given very good performances in the past."