Web desk: Following a crushing defeat to India in the 2026 T20 World Cup, former Pakistan captain Shahid Khan Afridi called for senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shadab Khan to be dropped from the national squad.
In the round match, India easily overpowered Pakistan, with the national team’s fast bowlers and spinners failing to make any impact. The batting lineup also disappointed, chasing 176 runs. Apart from Usman Khan, no batsman stayed long at the crease, and seven players combined managed fewer than 20 runs.
Speaking on a private TV show, Afridi criticized the senior players and urged the management to give younger players a chance. “If I were captain, I would have rested Babar, Shaheen, and Shadab in the next match against Namibia. I would give the newcomers an opportunity to prove themselves,” he said.
Afridi added that these senior players have been part of the team for a long time, but if they fail to perform in such crucial matches, their presence offers no advantage. “It is better to let the new talent play than to rely on underperforming seniors,” he stressed.
He also questioned some of the captain’s decisions, particularly regarding the bowling strategy. Afridi criticized the team for not giving enough overs to Faheem Ashraf and for bringing in trump card Usman Tariq only after ten overs. “These decisions are hard to understand and impacted our chances significantly,” he said.
Afridi’s comments highlight growing frustration over Pakistan’s performance and suggest a push for fresh talent ahead of the remaining World Cup fixtures.
Read more: Pakistani batters flop, India secures comfortable win
