In the world of Pakistan cricket, controversy is never far behind. The latest storm centers around left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, who was dropped from the squad for the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi.
While Afridi’s recent performances have been less than stellar, one former player, Ahmed Shehzad, isn’t buying the narrative that Afridi alone is to blame for Pakistan’s struggles.
Ahmed Shehzad took to social media, posting a video on his ‘X’ handle, where he expressed his discontent over Afridi’s exclusion. The opening batter didn’t mince words, questioning the logic behind singling out Afridi for Pakistan’s recent cricketing failures.
“You lost to Zimbabwe, Ireland, the USA, India, and now Bangladesh. Is Shaheen Afridi the only one responsible for all of this?” Shehzad asked pointedly.
A Call for Collective Accountability
Shehzad’s frustration is palpable, and his argument is clear: blaming one player won’t fix the deeper issues plaguing Pakistan cricket. He emphasized the need for a broader perspective, urging the cricketing authorities to hold everyone accountable, not just Afridi.
“Shaheen Afridi won’t be solely responsible for all of this. So, bring all those people who were involved. Tell this country. It is wrong to blame Shaheen Afridi for all of this. Yes, his performances are low, his attitude is problematic, and you dropped him, that’s fine. But what about the rest of the people involved? What about the rest of the performances?” Shehzad questioned.
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It’s a valid point. Cricket is, after all, a team sport, and Pakistan’s recent losses can’t be pinned on one player. Shehzad went on to criticize the performances of Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, and even captain Babar Azam, who has also been struggling with the bat in recent matches.
“What about Abdullah Shafique’s performance in the last eight Test matches? Saim Ayub’s performance after 25 matches? Babar Azam’s performance in the last 14 Test matches? Just by barring them, there won’t be any surgery; there won’t be any Pakistan team on the right track,” Shehzad stated.
Call For Complete Overhaul
Shehzad’s critique extends beyond individual performances. He argues that the entire system needs an overhaul, with a focus on collective responsibility rather than scapegoating.
“Because no one is greater than cricket and the country. The country is above everything else. No matter how many people run PR, no matter how many people hide behind personal milestones, no matter how many people buy boards, no matter how much money someone invests, we know everything,” Shehzad continued.
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His words resonate with a call for transparency and accountability at all levels, not just on the field but off it as well. Shehzad is calling for an end to what he sees as the selective blaming and protecting of players based on favoritism and PR.
Shehzad’s comments come at a critical juncture for Pakistan cricket. The team is struggling, and fans are growing impatient. The decision to drop Afridi may be justified based on his recent form, but Shehzad’s broader point remains: one player’s exclusion won’t solve the systemic issues.
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