LAHORE: Lahore Qalandars’ captain Shaheen Afridi has revealed his plans to get the crucial wicket of Babar Azam in his side’s first home game in the Pakistan Super League season 8 against Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday. 

Pace spearhead Shaheen said he would bowl his signature yorker deliveries to the  Peshawar Zalmi captain and try to get an early breakthrough for the side in his face-off against Babar.

“Babar is a world-class player and he is everyone’s favourite. I mentioned this earlier as well, I enjoy bowling him in the nets,” he said in a scheduled press conference in Lahore on Saturday.

“Babar and Rizwan are the players whom I enjoy bowling to, but it’s a challenge too. It’s not easy. Even coaches are giving an example of Babar’s cover drive while teaching. Of course, we will plan for him and do well” he said

When asked if he had his yorkers loaded for the Peshawar Zalmi captain, Shaheen replied in affirmation and said: “As a player and a captain, I will try to give my team an early breakthrough. This is what I try to do, not only in franchise cricket but in the Pakistan team too. You will get to see a good competition,”

Qalandars’ captain, however, debunked the perception that his side was reliant solely on Harry Brook in the batting and with his absence it turned fragile.

“We already knew that Brook won’t be able to play this season. He is doing a great job for  England in New Zealand” he said  ”

“I don’t think we are weak in any department. We scored 190+ in the last game. Of course, it’s cricket, you have to improve a lot of things.

When asked why Abdullah Shafique was yet not given a chance despite being an integral part of the Qalandars’ PSL winning team in PSL 7, Shaheen disclosed he was not feeling well and might get a chance keeping the team combination in consideration.

“I personally like him [Abdullah Shafique]. He is the second classy batter after Babar Azam. He wasn’t feeling well due to flu but he is feeling better now and batting in the nets. Our opening partnership is doing well, we will look at our combination before making a decision [about his inclusion in the squad],” he concluded.

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