Shahid Afridi: “After Abdul Razzaq, we saw a good all-rounder in Aamer Jamal, it’s surprising he wasn’t retained”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan six-hitter Shahid Afridi said it is surprising that Aamer Jamal isn’t getting picked as he is a “good all-rounder”, just like Abdul Razzaq.
Jamal burst onto the international scene with his performance in Pakistan’s three-Test series against Australia from December 2023 to January 2024.
In that series, he took 18 wickets at an average of 20.44.
Additionally, he scored 143 runs, which included a top score of 82, at an average of 28.60.
The 27-year-old has also represented Pakistan in six T20Is to date, but hasn’t been able to replicate the success he has had in Test cricket, taking two wickets at an average of 93.50.
Nonetheless, Afridi feels the men in green should be making use of a talented individual like Jamal as he can contribute with the bat and ball.
“After Abdul Razzaq, we saw a good all-rounder in Aamer Jamal, it’s surprising he wasn’t retained,” he was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
The Pakistan team recently played a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which ended as a 2-2 draw.
They then took on Ireland in a three-match T20I series and triumphed 2-1.
Right now, the men in green are involved in a four-match T20I series against England, which is tied at 0-0 after the first game was rained off.
Afterwards, they will feature in the 2024 T20 World Cup, which will take place 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