Rashid Latif: “When did Shaheen deliver [a] match-winning performance? He should be removed, then the team will get better. You have to find and bring new bowlers”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif believes Pakistan will be a better team if left-arm seamer Shaheen Shah Afridi is removed.
Latif wants Afridi gone as he feels the 24-year-old hasn’t delivered any match-winning performances.
Recently, he was involved in Pakistan’s ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and took six wickets in three matches at an average of 33.16.
Following that, Afridi featured in the 2025 Champions Trophy and picked up two wickets in two games at an average of 71.
“When did Shaheen deliver [a] match-winning performance? He should be removed, then the team will get better. You have to find and bring new bowlers,” Latif was quoted as saying by Khel Shel on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan lost to New Zealand and India in the Champions Trophy, which led to them getting eliminated in the group stage.
Their final game against Bangladesh was washed out, meaning they didn’t win a single game throughout their campaign.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a tour of New Zealand, which will consist of five T20Is and three ODIs that will be played from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
I agree here. Not only has he not been effective he also feels above the other team mates and doesn’t gel with the other team members.
It’s time we rise above individual heroes and build a strong team