Shaheen Afridi Confident in Fitness Ahead of Champions Trophy Opener

Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has expressed confidence in his fitness and that of his fellow pacers ahead of their Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Wednesday in Karachi. Amid concerns surrounding the team’s form and squad selection, fitness has been a major talking point, particularly regarding Pakistan’s star-studded pace attack featuring Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.

Pakistan’s build-up to the tournament was met with criticism from fans and former cricketers, who questioned the squad’s composition and the selection of certain players. However, much of the attention has been on the fitness of the fast-bowling trio, especially after Haris Rauf sustained a side strain in Pakistan’s first match of the ODI tri-nation series against New Zealand. Rauf was forced to leave the field during his seventh over, clutching his knee in discomfort. He did not return to bat later in the match, raising further doubts over Pakistan’s pace attack heading into the Champions Trophy.

Dismissing concerns, Shaheen assured that he and his fellow fast bowlers were in good shape and ready for the challenge.

“I try to live in the present rather than the past or future. I find myself in good form and feel like I’m fully fit. There are always niggles and some pain for a fast bowler, but the physios are very good these days and can get us ready quite quickly. Our other fast bowlers are also in good shape, which is nice because you have to bowl in partnerships as a bowling unit,” Shaheen stated, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

In addition to fitness, Shaheen’s bowling speed has been a subject of scrutiny ever since his return from a knee injury in 2022. His ability to clock high speeds, which was once his defining trait, has become a point of national discussion. While he previously bowled well above 140 kph, his recent speeds have typically ranged between 135-140 kph, leading to speculation that he has lost some of his pace.

Shaheen, however, brushed off such concerns, emphasizing that his speed remains effective and that his main goal is to contribute to the team’s success.

“People take a lot of interest in my speeds. But aside from the 2021 T20 World Cup, if you look at my bowling, I bowl between 135-137kph in the first over. But people notice it now and think my pace is down. But I’ve never felt my pace is down in a way that it is stopping me from getting wickets. The body is a bit like a machine and can break down. Sometimes you get fatigued, and you can’t show it because you have to do what the team requires of you,” he added.