Shahid Afridi Criticizes Pakistan Team After New Zealand Defeat

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi criticized the Pakistan team following their disappointing losses against New Zealand in the first two T20Is. He expressed frustration with the team’s approach, selection process, and overall performance. Speaking at a media event, Afridi called out the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for its handling of players and questioned the mindset of current batters.

“Everybody wants to bat like superstars, but no one wants to play according to the situation.” – Shahid Afridi

Afridi’s Concerns About Pakistan Cricket

Afridi, known for his aggressive playing style, voiced his concerns about Pakistan’s lack of adaptability and poor game awareness. He emphasized that players need to focus on team goals rather than personal milestones.

Key Issues Raised by Afridi:

• Poor Shot Selection: Batsmen are failing to read match situations.
• Lack of Intent: Players show no hunger to fight back.
• Selection Problems: PCB’s decisions are harming team balance.
• Ineffective Team Management: Coaching strategies are not producing results.

Afridi Slams PCB’s Selection Process

One of Afridi’s major concerns was the flawed selection process. He believes Pakistan is not choosing players based on merit but rather on favoritism.

“We need selectors who understand modern-day cricket. Just picking big names won’t win matches.”

Afridi stressed the need for players who can handle pressure and adjust their game according to the situation.

Pakistan’s Struggles Against New Zealand

Pakistan’s losses in the first two T20Is exposed weaknesses in both batting and bowling. The team failed to chase gettable targets and struggled to build partnerships.

Performance Breakdown:

• First T20I: Pakistan collapsed while chasing a moderate target.
• Second T20I: Batters threw away good starts, resulting in another defeat.
• Bowling Struggles: No bowler could apply pressure on New Zealand’s lineup.

Afridi’s Advice to the Team

Afridi urged the players to show responsibility and adapt to different match situations. He believes talent alone is not enough; players must develop strong match awareness.

Key Suggestions:

• Improve Game Awareness: Read the pitch and opposition strategy better.
• Focus on Strike Rotation: Build innings instead of reckless hitting.
• Better Bowling Plans: Avoid predictable deliveries and experiment with variations.

The Road Ahead for Pakistan

With major tournaments coming up, Pakistan must address these issues if they want to compete at the highest level. Afridi’s criticism serves as a wake-up call for the team to rethink their approach.

Areas That Need Urgent Attention:

• Middle-order stability: Pakistan’s batting collapses too often.
• Aggressive yet smart cricket: Balance between attack and game awareness.
• Effective leadership: Strong captaincy decisions to guide the team.

Final Thoughts

Shahid Afridi’s remarks highlight the deep-rooted issues in Pakistan cricket. His words may seem harsh, but they reflect the reality of Pakistan’s struggles. If the team wants to bounce back, they must act fast. With proper planning and commitment, Pakistan can regain its lost form. The question is—will the players and management listen?

Join Sports Samachaar for all things cricket and never miss a moment of the action!