Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi recently criticised his son-in-law, Shaheen Shah Afridi, for his inconsistent performance during the fifth and final T20I match against New Zealand on April 4th.Shaheen had started off strong by taking two wickets in the first over of the second innings, but later struggled in the crucial 18th over, conceding 16 runs and effectively shifting the momentum of the game in favor of New Zealand.Shahid Afridi, who is considered one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, noted the importance of consistency in line and length in order to win matches.
He cited Shaheen’s performance as an example of faltering when it mattered most and bowling at the wrong areas.Despite the criticism, Shaheen remains one of Pakistan’s most promising young bowlers. He made his debut for the national team at the age of 18 and has since been a regular member of the squad. His performances in domestic cricket have also been impressive, making him a highly sought after player in the Pakistan Super League.Shahid Afridi also commented on the performance of all-rounder Shadab Khan, who dropped a crucial catch during the fifth T20I match, which helped New Zealand’s Mark Chapman to score his maiden T20I century. Shahid suggested that Shadab should focus on his bowling, as it is his strength, and take a backseat as a batter. He stressed the importance of improving his bowling in order to secure his spot in the squad.The criticism from Shahid Afridi comes at a time when Pakistan’s cricket team is facing a number of challenges. Despite some promising performances in recent years, the team has struggled with consistency, particularly in the shorter formats of the game.In addition to issues with performance, the team has also been plagued by controversies and politics. The recent resignation of head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis, following Pakistan’s poor performance in the T20 World Cup, has highlighted some of the issues facing the team.There have been concerns raised about the role of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in the team’s performance. Some critics argue that the board has not done enough to support the development of cricket at the grassroots level, resulting in a lack of talent coming through the ranks.There have also been allegations of corruption and nepotism within the board. Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed recently spoke out about his experience with the PCB, alleging that he was unfairly treated and discriminated against because of his regional background.Despite these challenges, there are still reasons for optimism about the future of Pakistani cricket. The team has a number of talented young players, including Shaheen Afridi and emerging batting star Babar Azam, who have shown promise in recent years.There have also been efforts to improve the infrastructure and support for cricket at the grassroots level. The PCB has launched a number of initiatives aimed at developing young talent and improving the standard of cricket across the country.However, there is still much work to be done in order to restore the team’s fortunes and ensure a sustainable future for Pakistani cricket. This will require not just the efforts of the board and the players, but also the support of the wider cricket community in Pakistan and beyond.In the meantime, the criticism from figures like Shahid Afridi highlights the challenges facing the team and the importance of consistency and development in order to succeed at the highest level of the game. It also highlights the need for the team to take a more disciplined and strategic approach to their performance, both on and off the field, in order to achieve their goals and secure their place among the world’s best cricket teams.
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