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The legendary Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi was quick to acknowledge India's T20 World Cup 2024 victory. He was one of the first from the Pakistan cricket community to congratulate Rohit Sharma and the Indian team after their thrilling win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. India's win ended their 11-year wait for an ICC title, while Pakistan's Babar Azam-led team suffered a disappointing group stage exit. Afridi praised Rohit's leadership during India's dominant performance, but also took a swipe at Babar Azam. Pakistan's early exit, which included a loss to co-hosts USA, was a stark contrast to India's success.
In a recent interview with PTI, former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi emphasised the importance of strong leadership in cricket. He specifically commended Rohit Sharma's leadership style, crediting it for India's T20 World Cup win.
"Look, the role of a leader is always very important. The body language of the leader becomes the body language of the team. The leader has to set an example. Take Rohit Sharma as an example. Now, look at his (Rohit's) game and his style of playing; the lower-order batsmen who come in are all confident because the captain likes to play aggressive and attacking cricket. So, I always believe that the role of the captain is very important," Afridi said.
Pakistan's early T20 World Cup exit prompts calls for change
Pakistan's disappointing group stage exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked discussions about potential changes within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Following losses to USA and India, the team managed wins against Ireland and Canada, but it wasn't enough to advance. Pakistan captain Babar Azam acknowledged the need for review, and former cricketer Shahid Afridi echoed this sentiment. Afridi believes the PCB needs to address weaknesses at the grassroots level, suggesting this is a key factor in Pakistan's struggles. He called for "positive decisions" from the board, hinting at potential personnel changes or strategic shifts.
"I don't know what the PCB chairman has in mind now and I am also waiting to see what changes will be made but I have always supported the team and will keep doing that. I am also waiting to see what these changes will be. A positive decision needs to be made, and the changes shouldn't just be superficial. The real issue lies at the grassroots level of our cricket. Our product is weak at the grassroots level, and if we invest there, good players will emerge," Afridi concluded.
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