Shahid Afridi Slams Pakistan Team Selection
The criticism from Shahid Afridi comes at a time when the Pakistan cricket team is struggling to find consistency, with the selection committee's decisions being questioned by fans and former players alike. The team's batting approach and workload management have been areas of concern, and the lack of opportunities for promising players has raised eyebrows.
Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has strongly criticized the national team's selection committee for frequent changes in the team, questioning the decision to send players with limited experience to New Zealand and the inconsistent selection of bowlers.
Afridi expressed concern that players are not being trained adequately and that most batsmen are imitating his aggressive style rather than developing solid techniques. He also commented on the captaincy decisions, stating that Babar Azam was given ample opportunities to lead the team while Mohammad Rizwan was only given six months as captain. Afridi namedropped players like Mohammad Hasnain and Usman Khan, who have shown promise on the domestic circuit but have not been given opportunities in the national team.
Afridi's comments come after Pakistan's early eliminations from the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy 2025. He emphasized the importance of workload management, particularly for key players like Babar Azam, and called for structured player rotation. Afridi also expressed disappointment over the lack of opportunities for Mohammad Hasnain and Usman Khan, and criticized the national team's batting approach, saying players are trying to emulate his aggressive style.
The former captain criticized the PCB for their handling of the team, citing the constant changes in leadership and inconsistency in decision making. He suggested that the board needs a permanent chairman and questioned why Mohammad Rizwan was given only six months as captain. Afridi also questioned the role of batting coach Mohammad Yousuf, stating that teaching players how to play off-spin is not suitable for the national level.
Afridi's criticism highlights the need for stability and consistency within the Pakistan Cricket Board and the national team. The team's performance in the ongoing series against New Zealand will be closely watched, and the selection committee's decisions will be under scrutiny. With the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy 2025 still fresh in memory, the team needs to regroup and refocus to improve their performance.