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Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi questioned Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection for their T20I squad against New Zealand. Captain Mohammad Rizwan and star Babar Azam were rested. PCB appointed Salman Ali Agha as their new captain and Shadab was appointed as deputy.
Shahid Afirdi questioned the decision of including all-rounder Shadab Khan who was recalled in the T20I squad after the 2024 T20 World Cup 2024.
"On what basis has he been recalled. What are his performances in domestic cricket or otherwise that he had been picked again," Shahid said during a media interaction as quoted by PTI.
The flamboyant all-rounder said unless decisions are taken on merit nothing will change in Pakistan cricket.
"All the time we talk about preparations and when an event comes and we flop then we talk about surgery. Fact is Pakistan cricket is in ICU because of incorrect decisions."
He believes that whenever a new Chairman takes charge, he comes and changes everything.
"There is no continuity, consistency in the Board's decisions and policies. We keep changing captains, coaches or some players but in the end what is the accountability for Board officials," the former skipper questioned.
He said it was sad to see coaches blaming players to save their jobs and the management blaming players and coaches to save their seats.”
"How can our cricket progress when there is a sword hanging constantly over the captain and coaches' heads.
He also felt that while the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was a positive person, the truth was he didn’t know much about cricket.
"He wants to do well for Pakistan but in the end he depends on advice and I told him he can't continue doing three jobs at a time. He needs to focus on one job because being PCB Chairman is a full-time job."
Pakistan are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series followed by a three-match ODI series which is scheduled to start from March 16. Babar and Rizwan will be seen featuring in one-day internationals against the Blackcaps.
