Shahid Afridi: “The head coach is giving Shadab chance after chance. That’s why I said Shadab can become the next Pakistan captain. But looking at his recent performance, he doesn’t even deserve a place in the playing XI”
Image courtesy of: Unsplash
Former Pakistan power-hitter Shahid Afridi has said that Shadab Khan should forget about becoming T20I captain, adding that he would not even pick the spin-bowling all-rounder in the team.
Afridi has earlier suggested that Shadab is the best person to replace current skipper Salman Ali Agha and lead the men in green in the shortest format.
However, the 46-year-old has since changed his mind after seeing Shadab’s inconsistent performances.
“Looking at his performance, I wouldn’t even keep him in the team, let alone give him the captaincy,” he told Samaa TV as quoted by NDTV.
“If Mike Hesson stays on as the coach – he was also there at Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League – Mike Hesson became Pakistan’s coach after his stint in the PSL. From there, his association with Shadab started.
“The head coach is giving Shadab chance after chance. That’s why I said Shadab can become the next Pakistan captain. But looking at his recent performance, he doesn’t even deserve a place in the playing XI.”
Shadab wasn’t picked for the two-Test series against the West Indies, where Pakistan are 1-0 down and trying to win the ongoing 2nd Test in Trinidad and Tobago.
After this, Pakistan will travel to England to play three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, 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, 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