Criticism Continues over Pakistan Team after Historic Thump by Afghanistan
Criticism continues over the Pakistan team after the historic thump by Afghanistan!
Having lost the first two matches by six and seven wickets respectively, the Pakistan team managed to make a comeback in the third and final match of the Twenty20 international series in Sharjah.
Pakistan won by 66-run in the third and final match but Afghanistan took home the series 2-1.
Pakistan rued their inability to adapt to the conditions in Sharjah as they went on the field with an inexperienced team in which four players made their international debut.
The quest has sent a message that how important it is to have senior players in the team as well.
The lack of senior players in the team was also highlighted by former skipper Shahid Afridi.
“Well played @ACBofficials congrats on the win, and @rashidkhan_19 you were amazing as always. Good move my @TheRealPCB to believe in the upcoming talent but they should have been accompanied by senior players to transfer on-field experience and not sit on the bench,” he said in a tweet.
Well played @ACBofficials congrats on the win, and @rashidkhan_19 you were amazing as always. Good move my @TheRealPCB to believe in the upcoming talent but they should have been accompanied by senior players to transfer on field experience and not sit on the bench #PakvsAfg
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) March 26, 2023
On the other hand, the former captain of the national cricket team, Muhammad Hafeez, declared the Afghan cricket team is more experienced than the current Pakistani T20 team.
Afghanistan team has more international experience & exposure than this Pakistan team.
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) March 26, 2023
Meanwhile, Mickey Arthur, the candidate for the national team head coach advised young players to groom with experienced cricketers.
n a tweet Mickey Arthur said, “Saim, Abdullah and Haris have loads of talent but finding out that International cricket brings different pressures and responsibilities to Franchise cricket….groom them, give them time and allow them opportunities to bat with experienced players and they will come through!”
Saim,Abdullah and Haris have loads of talent but finding out that International cricket brings different pressures and responsibilities to Franchise cricket….groom them,give them time and allow them opportunities to bat with experienced players and they will come through!
— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) March 26, 2023
Following Pakistan’s humiliating defeat against Afghanistan, former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif called out the authorities for their team selection.
“Did we go there to lose?” he questioned.
While making an appearance on a TV show on Monday, Rashid said: “It is written in the ICC code of conduct and anti-corruption code that you can’t play a weak team who you already know can lose. Why did you send such a team?”
“A lot of people already predicted a 3-0 result against Pakistan. How can you sideline your main players suddenly? If you want to run cricket like this, then go ahead,” Rashid added.
Ex-Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar on his YouTube channel, said: “I am very happy. If Pathans and Bengalis channelise their energy, they can become the world’s leading communities. I am very happy that our Pathan brothers have won.”
“Make a strong comeback. Make sure you give tough competition to Afghanistan. It might seem difficult but Afghanistan has played some tough cricket. It’s nice to see them win against Pakistan for the first time — and it makes me happy that they did it by playing mature cricket,” he added.
“Afghanistan needs good news all the time. I get a lot of phone calls from Afghanistan friends. I want to come to Kabul,” he said.
