Rashid Latif: “Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi are senior players but have become unfit for T20s”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Rashid Latif thinks batsmen Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, along with left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, have “become unfit for T20s”.
Despite their long-standing contributions to the national team, he suggested it may be time for Pakistan to move on from the trio.
The trio’s recent performances have raised concerns, with their lack of consistency proving detrimental to the team at times.
“Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Afridi are senior players but have become unfit for T20s,” Latif was quoted as saying by journalist Arfa Feroz Zake on X.
Pakistan recently played a two-Test series against Bangladesh, which they lost 2-0.
They subsequently rebounded with a 2-1 victory over Australia in a three-match ODI series.
Pakistan’s next assignment will be a two-Test tour of the West Indies, with both matches taking place in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to August 6.
After that, the men in green will go up against England, playing three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Azam will captain Pakistan in both series after being handed the leadership role, while Afridi was dropped from the squad.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah