NEW DELHI: Former captain Shahid Afridi has suggested a couple of changes to the Pakistan playing eleven following their dramatic loss to India in the T20 World Cup. Afridi proposed that skipper Babar Azam should drop down to No. 3 in the batting order to accommodate fakhar zaman at the top.
With Pakistan suffering defeats to both USA and India, they are facing a crucial must-win game against Canada in New York on Tuesday.Afridi’s suggestions aim to bolster Pakistan’s lineup and turn their fortunes around in the tournament.
“I think now is the time for Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to make some changes. I would like to see Salman Ali Agha come into the side in place of Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed to come in for Shadab Khan,” Afridi told ICC.
“Most of all, I believe Fakhar Zaman should be promoted to open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar dropping down to number three.
“There are some tough conversations and choices to come but we need to remember that there is still hope: Pakistan are not out of the tournament yet.”
Pakistan self-destructed in their chase of 120 against India on Sunday, suffering back-to-back defeats despite their bowlers setting the game up nicely by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Co. for a below-par 119.
“The key difference between the two teams was India’s consistency, self-belief, discipline and attitude on the field. The Pakistan batting line-up simply isn’t clicking and what we saw was a weak display of power hitting.
“For several reasons, this game wasn’t about playing aggressively. But strategy and smart cricket were required to get the run chase over the line, and those qualities are exactly what Pakistan lacked.
“India have now won seven of their eight matches against Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Pakistan fans are highly disappointed,” said Afridi referring to India’s dominant record against the arch-rivals in world events.
According to Afridi, Pakistan simply couldn’t handle the pressure of a game as significant as the one on Sunday.
“On the big days, you have to have nerves of steel until you make it through.
“India stayed positive and calm until the last ball and the pressure of the run chase was not handled well by Babar Azam’s side,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
With Pakistan suffering defeats to both USA and India, they are facing a crucial must-win game against Canada in New York on Tuesday.Afridi’s suggestions aim to bolster Pakistan’s lineup and turn their fortunes around in the tournament.
“I think now is the time for Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to make some changes. I would like to see Salman Ali Agha come into the side in place of Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed to come in for Shadab Khan,” Afridi told ICC.
“Most of all, I believe Fakhar Zaman should be promoted to open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar dropping down to number three.
“There are some tough conversations and choices to come but we need to remember that there is still hope: Pakistan are not out of the tournament yet.”
Pakistan self-destructed in their chase of 120 against India on Sunday, suffering back-to-back defeats despite their bowlers setting the game up nicely by dismissing Rohit Sharma and Co. for a below-par 119.
“The key difference between the two teams was India’s consistency, self-belief, discipline and attitude on the field. The Pakistan batting line-up simply isn’t clicking and what we saw was a weak display of power hitting.
“For several reasons, this game wasn’t about playing aggressively. But strategy and smart cricket were required to get the run chase over the line, and those qualities are exactly what Pakistan lacked.
“India have now won seven of their eight matches against Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and Pakistan fans are highly disappointed,” said Afridi referring to India’s dominant record against the arch-rivals in world events.
According to Afridi, Pakistan simply couldn’t handle the pressure of a game as significant as the one on Sunday.
“On the big days, you have to have nerves of steel until you make it through.
“India stayed positive and calm until the last ball and the pressure of the run chase was not handled well by Babar Azam’s side,” he added.
(With PTI inputs)
