Shahid Afridi: “Usman Khan should be given an opportunity; he can play fearless cricket”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi wants attacking batsman Usman Khan given a proper opportunity in ODIs as “he can play fearless cricket”.
Usman has mostly been utilised in T20Is to date, but recently made his ODI debut in the ongoing three-match series against New Zealand.
The 29-year-old did not feature in the 2025 Champions Trophy, but did take part in the five-match T20I series against the Black Caps, where he mustered seven runs in the one game he played.
In his ODI debut, the Karachi native struck 39 runs off 33 balls, which included four boundaries and two sixes.
Having shown aggression with the bat, Afridi wants Usman to keep getting chances in the 50-over format.
“Usman Khan should be given an opportunity; he can play fearless cricket,” he was quoted as saying by journalist Farid Khan on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Pakistan lost the 1st ODI against New Zealand in Napier by 73 runs and will now look to level the series in the 2nd ODI, which will be held on April 2 in Hamilton.
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
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