Former Pakistan batter Ahmad Shahzad has raised concerns about the decision to leave top fast bowler Shaheen Afridi out of the second Test against Bangladesh, which begins on August 30. Pakistan revealed their 12-player squad just before the crucial second Test, following a 10-wicket defeat in the series opener.
That was their fourth consecutive Test defeat after losing a 3-0 series against Australia earlier this year and this loss was also their first ever Test match against Bangladesh. In his tweet on X shortly after the second test selection was made public, Shahzad stated:
“You first lost to Zimbabwe, then lost to Ireland, lost to USA, lost to India, now you have lost to Bangladesh as well. Is Shaheen Afridi only responsible for all those defeats? No, he is not solely responsible. All should be questioned who were involved in those defeats. What’s the performance of Babar Azam in the last 14 innings in Tests?”
He added:
“Holding Shaheen Afridi alone responsible for all the defeats is wrong. Look at his performances, there is a problem in his attitude, you dropped him, that’s fine. But what about others? What about their performances? What is the performance of Abdullah Shafique in the last 8 matches? You have brought in Saim Ayub back after 25 matches, what’s his performance?”
In the first innings, Afridi’s figures were 2/88 because Bangladesh declared an overwhelming 565 for a convincing 117 runs lead. However, Babar has been playing poorly in Tests from 2023 having a mean score of slightly more than 21; this includes making none at all and 22 in the earlier Test against Bangladesh.
“Simply dropping Afridi won’t put Pakistan on the right path”- Ahmad Shahzad
Ahmad Shahzad kept on asking about the ousting of Shaheen Afridi and thought that all stakeholders should be responsible for bettering Pakistan cricket. There has been a dismal time for Pakistani cricket in all formats over the last one year, including early exits from 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups.
“By dropping only Afridi will not get Pakistan on the right track. You will have to take some harsh decisions. All those who have been involved in those defeats with poor performances should also be questioned. They should also be held accountable, nobody is bigger than cricket or the country. Country comes first, everything after that,” said Shahzad on X.
He added:
“No mattter how their public relations are, no matter how much they hide behind their personal milestones, no matter how much money they put in, we know everything and those who are at the helm of affairs in the PCB, they also know everything.”
”So the time has come where not just one, if you really want to move in the right direction, question all those who have been involved.”
Since the South Africa series in 2021, Pakistan has not won a home Test and has suffered series losses to both Australia and England.
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