Shahid Afridi: “I was thinking that Zaman Khan or Mohammad Ali could have been selected”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan six-hitter Shahid Afridi said he wanted Zaman Khan or Mohammad Ali picked for the T20I tours of Ireland and England.
The two fast bowlers were brilliant in the 2024 Pakistan Super League (PSL), with Ali being the second-highest wicket-taker as he claimed 19 wickets in 12 matches for the Multan Sultans at an average of 18.63 and an economy rate of 8.23.
As for Zaman, he finished with 11 wickets in nine games for the Lahore Qalandars at an average of 28.72 and an economy rate of 9.87.
Zaman was picked for Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where he snapped up one wicket in one game at an average of 35 and an economy rate of 11.66.
Ali, however, was not in the squad for the series, which ended as a 2-2 draw.
Following their clash with the Black Caps, Pakistan took on Ireland in a three-match T20I series, which they won 2-1.
However, neither Zaman nor Ali made the cut when the team was announced, much to the surprise of Afridi.
“I was thinking that Zaman Khan or Mohammad Ali could have been selected,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan will now play four T20Is against England from May 22 to 30.
Afterwards, they will participate in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and United States of America from June 1 to 29.
Pakistan’s first T20 World Cup game will be against the United States of America in Dallas on June 6.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series: Babar Azam (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
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