Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is known for mincing words when criticising players for their on-field performance and what they off-the-field as well. Last month, Akhtar criticised Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s communication skills. He also questioned Afridi’s intent as he left the field in T20 World Cup 2022 final against England after getting injured while taking a catch.
When asked about the best quality of Akhtar the left-arm pacer admired the most during an interview with a local media channel, he replied, “Brand ache se banate hain”.
Here’s what Akhtar said about Azam
"Cricket is one job and handling media is another job. If you can’t speak, I am sorry but you won’t be able to express yourself on the TV,” Akhtar had said.
"I want to openly say this that Babar Azam should be the biggest brand of Pakistan, but why he hasn’t become the biggest brand in Pakistan? Because he can’t speak,” he added.
Afridi returned to international action after regaining fitness in the ongoing five-T20I series against New Zealand. He returned to competitive cricket in Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he showcased his big-hitting skills for Lahore Qalandars.
“Ye tha vo moment jahan par aap superstar ban sakte the. Agar main hota, to main Pakistan ke liye mar jaata. Mai tod deta ghutna, ghutna jud jayega baad mein. Ye lamha vapas nahi aata. (This was the moment, where you could have become a superstar. Had I been in his place, I would have sacrificed by life for Pakistan’s sake. I wouldn’t care if my knee broke, it would have healed again. But, this moment would have never come back again),” Akhtar was quoted as saying by Suno TV.
The injury not only ruled him out for the remaining of final but he was out of crucial home Test series against England and New Zealand. In his absence, Pakistan did not have a pace-bowling spearhead and they failed to make it to World Test Championship (WTC) 2021-23 final.
The 23-year-old has been impressive in the T20I series against a second-string Kiwi side. He took a wicket in the first T20I and followed it up with an economical spell in the second game.
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