Starc, who debuted for Australia in 2010, recently surpassed Pakistan legend Wasim Akram for the most Test wickets by a left-arm quick. And while Afridi still has years ahead of him to chase such milestones, the 24-year-old pacer said the Australian has already played a defining role in his development.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afridi recalled being a teenager during Starc\u2019s dominant ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup campaign on home soil in 2015, where the Australian spearhead finished as the joint leading wicket-taker in a title-winning side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"He's a legend,\" Afridi said ahead of his first appearance in Australia's Big Bash League. \"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. He bowled a fuller ball throughout that World Cup and had very good success,\" Afridi stated.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 25-year-old pacer said watching Starc at close quarters, even if only from afar, helped him understand the value of attacking lengths for left-arm quicks. It is a lesson he carries with him to this day.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Starc has continued to deliver at the highest level, starring in the opening two Tests of the ongoing Ashes series. The 35-year-old has already claimed 18 wickets and earned back-to-back Player of the Match honours, helping Australia seize a 2\u20130 advantage over England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Afridi, who regularly seeks out Starc for conversations whenever they cross paths internationally, said their last interaction was a moment of honesty and appreciation.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Starc has continued to deliver at the highest level, starring in the opening two Tests of the ongoing Ashes series. The 35-year-old has already claimed 18 wickets and earned back-to-back Player of the Match honours, helping Australia seize a 2\u20130 advantage over England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shaheen, now a senior figure in his national setup, continues to draw inspiration from the bowler he once studied as a teenager.<\/p>\r\n\r\n