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Former Cricketer Criticizes Pakistan’s Decision to Drop Shaheen Afridi for Second Test

by
Bishal
August 30, 2024

Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad has raised concerns over the decision to leave out fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Test against Bangladesh, which started in Rawalpindi. Pakistan’s head coach, Jason Gillespie, explained that Afridi was given time off to spend with his newborn son and family. However, Shahzad feels that focusing on Afridi alone is unfair, especially after Pakistan’s recent poor performances.

Shaheen Afridi’s Absence and Pakistan’s Struggles

Pakistan lost the first Test match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The home team struggled throughout the game, with Bangladesh winning convincingly by ten wickets. This loss was Pakistan’s first defeat to Bangladesh in over 14 matches, with Afridi unable to find his rhythm.

Ahmad Shahzad criticized the decision to drop Afridi, arguing that the entire team should be held accountable for their recent losses, not just one player. He pointed out that Pakistan has suffered defeats against several teams, including Zimbabwe, Ireland, the USA, and India, and questioned whether Afridi alone should bear the blame.

Concerns About Other Players

Shahzad also questioned the performances of other key players, including Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, and Saim Ayub. He believes that if Pakistan truly wants to improve, they need to take tough decisions and hold everyone accountable, not just Afridi. He emphasized that no player is bigger than the team or the country.

Team Changes and Challenges Ahead

Pakistan has made changes to the team for the second Test, bringing back spinner Abrar Ahmed after opting for an all-pace attack in the first match. Coach Gillespie acknowledged that it will be challenging to level the series but expressed confidence in under-pressure captain Shan Masood, who has had a difficult run, including low scores in the first Test.

Bangladesh, on the other hand, is coming off a historic victory and has been bolstered by the return of Taskin Ahmed, who recovered from a shoulder injury. Their pace attack will be stronger as they look to build on their success.

News Update

According to The Times of India, Pakistan has been facing criticism not only for their performance in the Test series but also for their early exit from the recent T20 World Cup. The team’s management is under pressure to make significant changes to turn things around. Former players and analysts believe that a broader evaluation of the team’s overall performance is necessary, beyond just individual players like Shaheen Afridi.