Shahid Afridi: “If you think social media is going to make you play cricket, it’s not possible. Just like I’m talking about Saim Ayib, there is Abbas and Khushdil”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan power-hitter Shahid Afridi has advised opening batsman Saim Ayub, all-rounder Khushdil Shah and fast bowler Abbas Afridi not to spend too much time on social media as it won’t help them play cricket.
He noted that the talented trio should instead focus on their fitness, diet and discipline as all three will help them become better players.
Ayub was in phenomenal form over the last few months as he notched up three ODI centuries and a career-best 98 not out in T20Is before fracturing his ankle.
Khushdil is back in the Pakistan team after dominating in domestic cricket and the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), where he smashed 298 runs in 10 matches for the Rangpur Riders, which included two fifties, at an average of 59.60 and a strike-rate of 175.29.
He was also the joint third-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets at an average of 9.94 and an economy rate of 6.03.
As for Abbas, he has become a regular member of the Pakistan T20I team and during Pakistan’s tours of Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, he took a total of 14 wickets in eight T20Is.
Overall, he has claimed 30 wickets in 18 T20Is at an average of 14.96.
“Saim Ayub is there. He can be an all-format player. How disciplined you are off the field is very important. Your fitness, diet, how much you are on social media. If you think social media is going to make you play cricket, it’s not possible. Just like I’m talking about Saim Ayib, there is Abbas and Khushdil,” Shahid was quoted as saying by TOK Sports on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan are now playing an ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
After this, the men in green will be involved in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which will take place from February 19 to March 9.
Pakistan Squad for 2025 Champions Trophy: Mohammad Rizwan (captain and wicketkeeper), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah
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