Teen Afridi to take a leaf out of seniors' book ahead of first World Cup

KARACHI: Teenage fast bowler Shaheen Afridi said Sunday it was good to "have very senior players alongside me in the bowling attack" as the 2019 World Cup approaches.

Afridi said he was prepared, especially in light of the recent series against England, but that the experience of his seniors in the cricket team was also very good for his learning as he faces the looming World Cup — his first big game.

Speaking to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the teenage cricketer, referring to fellow fast bowlers Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz, said: "It's very good to have them in the squad.

"They are very senior and experienced players. They have played a lot of cricket around the world and for Pakistan.

"It's good for me, as this is my first World Cup, to have very senior players alongside me in the bowling attack," he explained.

About the young player, the PCB wrote that he was "being branded the next Wasim Akram [and] compared to Mitchell Starc by your coach", which would be a daunting task.

Afridi has played for Pakistan in the Under-19 World Cup last year — when he scored 12 wickets in five matches — as well as the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in 2018, when he bagged nine wickets.

Afridi further commented: "We have trained very well recently. We have already played a full series against England so we already feel ready for the World Cup.

"It was a tough series for our team. We were playing against the number one side in the world at home.

"But we learnt a lot and it was good preparation because the big stage is coming," he added.