The recent significant defeat of the Pakistan cricket team against India has sparked a strong reaction from former captain Shahid Afridi. Afridi has publicly called for the exclusion of key senior players, including his son-in-law Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan. This stance comes after a performance where these experienced players reportedly struggled, leading to widespread criticism and calls for a fresh approach with younger talent.
Post-Match Criticism and Player Performance
Following Pakistan's 61-run loss to India at the R Premadasa Stadium, Shahid Afridi voiced his strong disapproval of the team's performance. He specifically targeted Shaheen Shah Afridi, stating that the bowler conceded 31 runs in just two overs. Afridi also suggested that Babar Azam appeared hesitant against Indian fast bowlers. The sentiment from Afridi is that the team's senior players have not consistently delivered in high-stakes matches, despite ample opportunities.
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The defeat has amplified discussions about the team's strategy and player selection.
Reports indicate that senior players have been unable to find scoring opportunities or make significant impacts.
There were even prior rumors suggesting Shaheen Shah Afridi's place in the team was influenced by his father-in-law, Shahid Afridi.
Afridi's Proposed Team Overhaul
Shahid Afridi has proposed bold changes for Pakistan's upcoming matches, advocating for the bunching of experienced players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan. He believes younger players should be given a chance to prove themselves.
"If it was in my hands, I would not…"
Afridi's comments suggest a willingness to make tough decisions, even when it involves family.
The former captain feels that tough decisions are now unavoidable due to the team's performance.
He suggested that if senior players are not performing, young talent should be prioritized.
Public and Expert Reactions
Shahid Afridi's remarks have generated mixed reactions. Some observers have praised his honesty and fearlessness, viewing him as a fair critic. Others, however, have criticized the timing of his comments, suggesting they are too late. The directness of his criticism, particularly towards his son-in-law, has surprised many.
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Social media has seen a surge of commentary, with many Pakistani cricket legends echoing Afridi's calls for the removal of the mentioned trio from the T20I side.
Fans have debated whether Afridi's intervention is timely or if it comes too late to impact the team's current trajectory.
Specific Player Critiques
The criticism is not solely general; specific performances have been highlighted:
Shaheen Shah Afridi:
Leaked 23 runs in 2 overs in a key match.
His bowling performance was criticized, with Afridi stating he wants "bowling from Shaheen."
His batting, scoring 33 runs off 16 balls, was noted as helpful in reaching a certain score, but the focus remains on his primary role as a bowler.
Babar Azam:
Reportedly appeared timid against Indian quicks.
His shot selection when getting out has been questioned.
Shadab Khan:
Included in the group of senior players Afridi wants to see benched.
Strategic Concerns
Afridi also questioned the team's strategy, specifically the decision to field six spinners in a match against India. This indicates a concern not just with individual player form but also with the overall tactical approach of the team management.
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"Playing six spinners, what kind of strategy is this?”
He articulated a somber view on the team's current standing:
"The sad reality of the situation is that while we fought with India on the ground at one point, today we can’t even dream of beating them.”
Analysis and Implications
Shahid Afridi's public pronouncements signal a significant point of contention within Pakistan cricket. The call to drop established players, including his son-in-law, underscores a perceived crisis in performance and strategy.
The pressure on players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan will likely intensify following these comments.
The team management faces a dilemma: maintain the experienced core or heed calls for a youth-centric approach.
Afridi's assessment of Pakistan's inability to compete with India highlights a broader concern about the team's competitive edge.
Conclusion
The defeat against India has catalyzed a robust debate within Pakistan cricket, led by the vocal criticism of former captain Shahid Afridi. His suggestion to bench prominent figures such as Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Shadab Khan in favor of new talent points to deep-seated concerns about current performance levels and strategic decisions. While Afridi's directness has drawn praise for its honesty, it also places significant scrutiny on the team's leadership and player selection policies. The impact of these statements on future team compositions and player morale remains to be seen, but they undeniably highlight a critical juncture for Pakistan's cricketing future.
Sources:
Gulf News: Published 20 hours ago. Focuses on Afridi's impartiality and specific critique of Shaheen Shah Afridi's bowling performance and rumors about his selection.🔗 Link: https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/afridi-shows-no-favouritism-and-wants-son-in-law-shaheen-dropped-after-india-loss-1.500444737
WION: Published 19 hours ago. Details Afridi's reaction to the trio's "flop show" and questions the team's strategy regarding spinners.🔗 Link: https://www.wionews.com/sports/shahid-afridi-on-son-in-law-shaheen-babar-azam-flop-show-vs-india-in-t20-world-cup-if-it-was-in-my-hands-i-would-not-1771232860558
News18: Published 21 hours ago. Highlights Afridi's "scathing review" and his proposal to bench Shaheen, Babar, and Shadab for younger players.🔗 Link: https://www.news18.com/cricket/drop-shaheen-babar-shadab-shahid-afridis-scathing-review-of-senior-pak-players-after-colombo-embarrassment-9906313.html
Cric Today: Published 1 day ago. Reports on Afridi's direct call to "drop Shaheen Afridi" and other seniors if they aren't performing.🔗 Link: https://crictoday.com/cricket/videos/shorts/afridi-calls-for-shaheen-babar-shadab-to-be-dropped/
Sunonews.tv: Seen on Bing. Discusses Afridi's call to drop the trio for new talent and notes the mixed public reaction to his "shocking" statement.🔗 Link: https://english.sunonews.tv/sports/cricket/shahid-afridi-slams-shaheen-shah-afridi-over-poor-performance/1771234868-13230
Rediff: Published Sep 16, 2025. This article discusses Shahid Afridi's comments regarding Shaheen Shah Afridi's performance, specifically distinguishing between his desired bowling contribution and his batting efforts in a previous context (Asia Cup). While not directly about the recent India loss, it provides background on Afridi's public assessments of his son-in-law.🔗 Link: https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/asia-cup-shahid-afridi-slams-son-in-law-shaheen/20250916.htm
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