Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has raised questions on all-rounder Shadab Khan’s inclusion in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the New Zealand tour, which will start with the first T20 International (T20I) between both sides at Hagley Oval on March 16. The 26-year-old last played for his national side against Ireland in the T20 World Cup 2024 game held at Lauderhill on June 16, 2024. Appearing in four matches, he looked completely miserable with both bat and ball in the mega T20I event. His underwhelming performances resulted in his ouster from the team.
Following Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy 2025, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) handed T20I snub to senior players such as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan but Shadab was recalled in the side. However, Shahid Afridi expressed his strong discontent against PCB’s decision regarding Shadab and also said his country’s cricket is in critical condition. As per PTI, Shahid remarked, “On what basis has he been recalled? What are his performances in domestic cricket or otherwise that he had been picked again. All the time we talk about preparations and when an event comes and we flop then we talk about surgery. The fact is Pakistan cricket is in ICU because of incorrect decisions.”
Pakistan will play five T20Is in New Zealand
Pakistan will play five T20Is against New Zealand in their backyard from March 16 to 26. Salman Ali Agha’s responsibility will be to lead his team from the front as captain and guide his side to the series victory.
The Men in Green put up disheartening shows in the T20I series played in Australia and South Africa respectivley losing five out of their six matches combined in both nations. Following the five-match T20I competition, Pakistan will clash against the Black Caps in the three-match ODI series to be played from March 29 to April 5.
