Former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi has stated that if it were up to him, he would bench Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan.

Following Pakistan’s “embarrassing defeat” against India in yesterday’s high-voltage T20 World Cup clash, Afridi lashed out at the trio during an interview with private media.

Discussing Pakistan’s strategy for the upcoming match against Namibia, Afridi said,
“If the decision were in my hands, I would give the young boys a chance in the match against Namibia. I would play them and give them the confidence they need.”

The former captain expressed his frustration over the lack of performance in the big game, noting that Shaheen’s pace, Abrar’s mystery, and Shadab’s experience all failed to deliver against India.

“We have been watching these same players for so long,” Afridi remarked. “We expect them to perform well against big teams because they are senior players. If seniors are not performing, then give the juniors sitting on the bench a chance.”

Afridi emphasized that the root of the problem lies in the system:

He argued that unless domestic cricket is strengthened and players’ skills are groomed, results will not change.

He stressed the need for financial investment in domestic structures and the establishment of cricket academies in every city.

Match Context: India Dominates Pakistan
It is worth noting that India secured a commanding 61-run victory over Pakistan, marking their third consecutive win in the group stage.

Following this match held in Colombo, India has extended its lead over Pakistan in ICC T20 World Cup encounters to 8-1.