Former Pakistan Cricketer Raises Doubts Over Babar Azam's Selection Over Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan Vs Bangladesh 2024

New Delhi: Former Pakistan cricketer Shehzad Ahmed has raised concerns about the decision to exclude star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi from the upcoming second Test against Bangladesh, scheduled for 30th August. The Pakistan team revealed their 12-member squad for the crucial match following their loss in the series opener by 10 wickets. Ahmed expressed his doubts and questioned the rationale behind Afridi's absence in the must-win game.

If we talk about Pakistan’s last test matches, it was their fourth consecutive defeat following the 3-0 thrashing against Australia earlier this year and a first-ever Test loss to Bangladesh.

After the squad announcement for the second test, Shehzad said:

“You first lost to Zimbabwe, then lost to Ireland, lost to the USA, lost to India, and now you have lost to Bangladesh as well. Is Shaheen Afridi only responsible for all those defeats? No, he is not solely responsible. All should be questioned about who was involved in those defeats. What’s the performance of Babar Azam in the last 14 innings in Tests?”.

“Holding Shaheen Afridi alone responsible for all the defeats is wrong. Look at his performances, there is a problem in his attitude, you dropped him and that’s fine. But what about others? What about their performances? What is the performance of Abdullah Shafique in the last 8 matches? You have brought in Saim Ayub back after 25 matches, what’s his performance?”, he added.

In the first innings, Shaheen Afridi had figures of 2/88 as Bangladesh piled on a massive 565 to capture a decisive 117-run lead.

On the other hand, Babar Azam has not been looking in good touch since 2013 in the Test with an average of just over 21, including scores of 0 and 22 in the first Bangladesh Test.

“By dropping only Afridi will not get Pakistan on the right track” – Shehzad Ahmed

The former Pakistan cricketer continued questioning the dropping of Shaheen Afridi and felt everyone involved must be held accountable for the betterment of Pakistan cricket. Pakistan had an upset period across formats over the past year, including premature exits at the 2023 ODI and 2024 T20 World Cups.

“By dropping only Afridi will not get Pakistan on the right track. You will have to make some harsh decisions. All those who have been involved in those defeats with poor performances should also be questioned. They should also be held accountable, nobody is bigger than cricket or the country. Country comes first, everything after that,” said Shehzad

Eagle Hunted DownShaheen Afridi Dropped!#PAKvsBAN #ShaheenAfridi pic.twitter.com/Ey2BXWjtHn

— Ahmad Shahzad (@iamAhmadshahzad) August 29, 2024

“No matter how their public relations are, no matter how much they hide behind their personal milestones, no matter how much money they put in, we know everything and those who are at the helm of affairs in the PCB, they also know everything. So the time has come where not just one if you really want to move in the right direction, question all those who have been involved”, he added.

Pakistan have not won a home Test since the South Africa series in 2021, including series defeats to Australia and England.