‘It’s Time For Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to Make Some Changes’: Shahid Afridi Suggests Some Big Moves for Pakistan Cricket – News18
T20 World Cup: Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam against India (AP)
After reflecting on Pakistan’s poor start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, Shahid Afridi has suggested that his former side make some massive changes in hopes to improve their fortunes.
Shahid Afridi has voiced that Pakistan needs a massive overhaul in their batting order to improve themselves. The Babar Azam-led side recently conceded their second T20 World Cup 2024 loss to India on June 9.
Their pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah combined for six wickets against the Men in Blue in New York on June 9 but the batters were nowhere to be found during the chase. Following a poor show with the willow, Afridi opined that Fakhar Zaman should replace Babar as opener.
He said this as per ICC: “Most of all, I believe Fakhar Zaman should be promoted to open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar dropping down to number three”.
Shahid Afridi was not happy with Pakistan’s performances at the ongoing T20 World Cup. The 2009 winners have faltered early, losing both of their opening games in the USA. Seeing a string of poor performances from the Asian giants, the ex-cricketer suggested that Pakistan’s coach and skipper make some new additions.
“I think now is the time for Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to make some changes. I would like to see Salman Ali Agha [not part of the official World Cup squad] come into the side in place of Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed to come in for Shadab”, Afridi said as per ANI.
Despite a horrendous start to their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in the United States, Shahid Afridi still has hope for a comeback. He talked about how there will be crucial talks about the changes to the squad in the upcoming days but till then the fans must believe in their team. “There are some tough conversations and choices to come but we need to remember that there is still hope: Pakistan are not out of the tournament yet,” Afridi concluded.
Pakistan’s first loss in the tournament came against the co-hosts USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Having lost a second fixture to India, the 2009 winners are on the verge of an early tournament exit. Pakistan will now have to depend on their rivals’ mistakes to remain alive in the competition. Either India or the USA will have to concede two losses to pave the way for Pakistan’s qualification to the Super 8 stage.
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Pakistan will next face Canada today, June 11, in a must-win clash for the former champions. The said match has been scheduled in New York at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.
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