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'The Missing Link In His Bowling Is..'- Waqar Younis Urges Shaheen To Follow Bumrah

image-lntrqqcyJasprit Bumrah has had a stellar World Cup so far [X.com]

Concerned over the struggles of Shaheen Afridi, fast-bowling legend Waqar Younis urged the young Pakistan left-arm quick to follow the ways of India's ace speedster Jasprit Bumrah in the ICC World Cup 2023. 

Waqar asked the out-of-form Pakistani seamer to try and replicate the Bumrah blueprint, wherein the world's premier fast-bowler has focused mainly on executing his skill without feeling desperate for breakthroughs. In contrast, Shaheen has searched for wickets and gone for plenty. 

The 23-year-old has made his four scalps in three league matches of the tournament at a woeful economy rate of 6.31 and a disappointing average, touching 35. Shaheen hasn't been able to deliver the new-ball breakthroughs for Pakistan, which has meant excessive pressure on the rest of the cast. 

On the other hand, Bumrah has retained his dominance and all-conquering avatar in all stages of the innings. 

The great bowler is currently the leading wicket-taker of the marquee event with eight wickets at just 11.62 apiece while conceding only 3.44 runs an over.

Waqar Calls Shaheen To Replicate Bumrah

"I don't know if there is a problem with his (Shaheen's) fitness," Waqar told AFP amidst murmurs of the Pakistani seamer dealing with an injured finger and, therefore, battling poor rhythm and execution. However, the pace legend believes it's a disciplinary issue. 

"The missing link in his bowling is discipline and he is over trying to get wickets. When you do the same thing again and again, like Shaheen is bowling to get his yorker going, then batsmen know that and they are ready for it," he added.

The Pakistani legend hailed Bumrah as a "top-class bowler" and urged the inexperienced Shaheen to follow the suit of the world's finest contemporary pacer in the forthcoming league games of the World Cup. 

If Pakistan are to recover from the sombre of a gutwrenching loss to India, the 1992 champions will need their spearhead to come out firing at the start. 

"Bumrah is creating pressure and his line is top of the off stump. He bowled so well against Pakistan and created pressure to get wickets," Waqar said. 

Pakistan next take on Australia in a critical league fixture in Bangalore on October 20.