“He is my man” :Viv Richards picks Shaheen Afridi as leading wicket-taker at World Cup 2023.
Renowned West Indies cricket legend, Sir Viv Richards, has made a noteworthy prediction regarding the upcoming 2023 World Cup set to take place in India from October 5 to November 19. According to Richards, Pakistan’s skilled left-arm seamer, Shaheen Afridi, is poised to emerge as the tournament’s premier wicket-taker.
Richards’ prediction is founded upon his observation of Shaheen Afridi’s growth and development as a player, particularly during his time participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He lauds Shaheen’s unwavering determination, highlighting it as a significant factor in his prowess on the field.
Shaheen Afridi, a mere 23 years of age, holds the mantle as Pakistan’s primary bowler across all formats. With an impressive track record, he boasts participation in 27 Test matches, 39 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 52 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). In these matches, he has secured 105, 76, and 64 wickets respectively. A recent standout performance occurred during the ODI series against Afghanistan in Sri Lanka, where he clinched the title of leading wicket-taker. Over the course of three matches, he secured an impressive six wickets, maintaining an average of 16.33.
Richards shared his prediction via a video posted on the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) official Instagram account. In this video, he explicitly named Shaheen Afridi as his choice for the leading wicket-taker in the forthcoming Cricket World Cup 2023. Richards substantiated his selection by citing the factors that have led him to this conclusion.
Richards said “The leading wicket-taker in the World Cup will be Shaheen Afridi because I have seen him in Pakistan. I spent some time in the PSL and I have seen his massive growth. [He is a] highly determined individual. He is my man.”
Before the grand World Cup event, cricket enthusiasts and fans alike can catch a glimpse of Shaheen Afridi’s prowess during the upcoming Asia Cup. Scheduled to unfold in Sri Lanka and Pakistan from August 30 to September 17.