New Delhi: Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has revealed how Mitchell Starc has influenced his cricketing career. The Australian has been one of the Premier pacers since making his international debut in 2010.
Starc recently surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram for the most wickets by a left-arm fast bowler in Test cricket. He has been one of Australia’s best performers through the opening two Ashes Test matches of the ongoing five-match series against England, picking up 18 wickets and winning two Player of the Match awards as the hosts took a 2-0 lead.
Afridi said that both Wasim and Starc had had a major impact on his career so far and even talked about the Aussie pacer’s magnificent performance in the 2015 Men’s Cricket World Cup, where he finished as the joint leading wicket-taker in the trophy-winning team.
‘Starc is a legend’
The 25-year-old Pakistan pacer expressed his admiration for Starc ahead of his first Big Bash League (BBL) appearance. Afridi is set to play for the Brisbane Heat in the upcoming BBL season, which is set to begin on December 14.
“He’s a legend. When ‘Starcy’ played that 2015 World Cup, I was playing for the Under 16 Pakistan team at that time, so…I followed him to try to bowl many times the way he swung the ball,” Afridi said.
The Pakistani fast bowler further added that Starc bowled fuller throughout the 2015 World Cup and had a great success in the tournament. He has been keeping a close eye on Starc’s career and always makes an effort to speak with the Australian pacer whenever they play against each other at the international level.
“The last time we chatted, I told him that I watched him (in 2015) … and that’s why I bowl fuller to batters. I can say he’s a role model for any youngster. He’s been the best for Australia for many years,” Afridi added.
Mitchell Starc will look to continue his red-hot form when Australia will take on England in the third Ashes Test, starting from December 17.