ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi has called for dropping senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan from the squad, suggesting that new players should be given a chance after the team’s loss to India in the T20 World Cup.
His remarks came after India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in a match of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Afridi expressed frustration over the team's performance against India, stating that the team made several mistakes and that India deserved to win. He criticized the captaincy decisions, particularly those of Salman Ali Agha, and questioned why the team’s key player, Usman Tariq, was kept off the field for 10 overs.
Afridi also took aim at Shaheen Shah Afridi’s performance, noting that after conceding runs in the first over, he was still entrusted with the final over despite having Faheem Ashraf available as an option.
“If it were up to me, I would bench Shaheen, Shadab, and Babar and give the opportunity to younger players,” said Afridi.
He added that the senior players had been in the team for a long time but had failed to deliver when expectations were high, particularly against top teams.