Shaheen Afridi concerns have grown after former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja questioned whether the pacer’s struggles stem only from his recovery from a knee injury.
Raja discussed Afridi during a recent international podcast with Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, David Lloyd and Phil Tufnell.
He said Afridi might still not be fully fit. However, Raja also referred to perceptions about the fast bowler’s mood and engagement within the team environment.
Raja stressed that he did not know Afridi well enough to make a firm judgment about suggestions of an attitude problem.
"Attitude Problem!!" said Ramiz Raja on Shaheen Afridi. #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/9vweLvgxoP
— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) August 25, 2026He added that treatment by team management and possible administrative lapses could also affect a player’s performance. The discussion came amid scrutiny of Pakistan’s pace attack during the ongoing Test series.
Read: Babar Azam Injury Update Boosts Pakistan Before Lord’s Test
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman’s five-wicket haul at a venue traditionally associated with fast bowling also prompted debate about Pakistan’s current pace-bowling strength.
Raja separately questioned the practice of categorising young players mainly as white-ball specialists.
He said Pakistan needed cricketers capable of adapting to Test conditions, especially on tours of England and Australia.
Raja argued that high-profile overseas Test series give players an important opportunity to build international reputations.
