Shahid Afridi: “Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman really need to step up and produce match-winning performances for Pakistan”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan power-hitter Shahid Afridi has called on fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and the batting trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman to “step up” and win matches for the country.
All four have produced match-winning performances on numerous occasions, but Afridi wants them to do it regularly as they are core members of the team.
Recently, Pakistan toured Sri Lanka for three T20Is, but Afridi, Azam, Rizwan did not take part as they were all in action in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Zaman, meanwhile, got to play one match and scored five runs.
“Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Fakhar Zaman really need to step up and produce match-winning performances for Pakistan,” Shahid was quoted as saying by Samaa TV.
In the BBL, Afridi, who is Pakistan’s ODI captain, took two wickets in four matches for the Brisbane Heat at an average of 76.50 and an economy rate of 11.19 before a knee injury ended his campaign.
Azam, meanwhile, is playing for the Sydney Sixers and has scored 202 runs in 11 matches, which includes two fifties, at an average of 22.44 and a strike-rate of 103.06.
As for Rizwan, he has amassed 187 runs in 10 games for the Melbourne Renegades at an average of 18.70 and a strike-rate of 102.74.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a three-match T20I series against Australia, which will take place in Lahore from January 29 to February 1.