Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s former cricketer, openly criticised the performance of Pakistan Cricket team and also the poor decisions of management. He seems unsatisfied with the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan. He has been selected in the team for the five-match T20I series in New Zealand, which is going to begin in Christchurch on Sunday, March 16.
He remarked that Pakistan cricket is in ICU, comparing the team to a seriously ill patient who is fighting for survival. The 46-year-old former captain questioned the selection panel on what basis Shadab is re-joining the T20I format while criticising his current performance in domestic cricket.
Because of his poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, Shadab was dropped from the national cricket team. He only made 44 runs and didn’t take any wicket in his four games in past ICC ODI events.
During his domestic cricket career, he scored only two half-centuries and got five wickets in his last 10 games. He is not giving a satisfactory performance even in domestic cricket, despite the fact he has been included in the T20 team for the international tour. The 26-year-old not only made his return to T20Is but also reselected as the vice-captain of the team.
“On what basis has he been recalled? What are his performances in domestic cricket or otherwise that he had been picked again. All the time we talk about preparations and when an event comes and we flop then we talk about surgery. Fact is Pakistan cricket is in ICU because of incorrect decisions.” Shahid Afridi (via Indian Express).
Shahid Afridi also criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for reappointing captains, trainers and other team members and not being persistent on their decisions.
“There is no continuity, consistency in the board’s decisions and policies. We keep changing captains, coaches or some players but in the end, what is the accountability for Board officials.”
“How can our cricket progress when there is a sword hanging constantly over the captain and coaches’ heads,” he further said.
Noticeably, Salman Ali Agha will lead the national team for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand. Mohammad Rizwan is still having the rights of captaincy in ODI cricket despite the poor performance of hosts in Champions Trophy 2025. Rizwan and senior batter Babar Azam have not been selected in the T20I squad. Meanwhile, Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Afridi were also dropped from the ODI team.
Pakistan team squads for the New Zealand tour:
ODI squad – Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim and Tayyab Tahir.
T20I squad – Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan.
