Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has come down heavily on the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and its skipper Babar Azam, following the national team’s dismal performance at the recent T20 World Cup.
Pakistan, the former champions, suffered a shock group-stage exit from the tournament held in the USA and West Indies, losing to newcomers USA and arch-rivals India. Afridi believes Babar Azam has been given enough opportunities to lead the side, and it’s time for the PCB to reconsider his captaincy.
“Babar has got a full open chance to lead Pakistan. He has been given enough time to show his worth as captain. Now whatever surgery the PCB wants to do, they should take their decision,” Afridi told the media in Birmingham, where he is participating in the World Legends Championship.
The outspoken former captain did not mince words, drawing parallels between Babar’s captaincy and his own, as well as that of past Pakistan skippers Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq. Afridi noted that whenever the team has performed poorly in World Cups, the captain has typically faced the consequences.
“I have also captained Pakistan and so have Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq, but whenever the team has performed badly in the World Cups, the first thing the captain faces the knife (sic),” he said.
Afridi urged the PCB to give the captain, coach, and the overall system sufficient time to work, rather than making knee-jerk reactions. “Whatever decision the PCB takes, it should give time to the captain, coach and the system to work,” he added.