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Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has stated that had he been the Pakistan selector, he wouldn’t even keep the all-rounder Shadab Khan in the team, let alone giving him the captaincy in the shortest format of the game.
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Speaking exclusively to Samaa TV, Afridi has slammed the Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson for constantly backing the all-rounder despite poor performances in both departments. In the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Shadab managed to score 118 runs from six innings and scalped five wickets.
“Looking at his performance, I wouldn't even keep him in the team, let alone give him the captaincy. If Mike Hesson stays on as the coach, he was also there at Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League. Mike Hesson became Pakistan's coach after his stint in the PSL. From there, his association with Shadab started. The head coach is giving Shadab chance after chance. That's why I said Shadab can become the next Pakistan captain. But looking at his recent performance, he doesn't even deserve a place in the playing XI,” Afridi told Samaa TV.
While Salman Ali Agha emerged as the fourth captain of the national team in the past 12 months, he failed to create an impact with the bat and as a captain in his maiden stint in the mega event. Afridi stated that he would love to see an aggressive player like Fakhar Zaman as the team’s captain in the near future.
“Looking at the current situation, I would go with Fakhar Zaman. I want an aggressive captain. Right now, only one player fits the bill, and that is Fakhar,” Afridi added.
In their third and last Super8 game, Pakistan was tasked to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or less to advance to the semi-finals. However, the Lankans went on to score 207/6 in the 213-run chase, eliminating the Men In Green from the showpiece event.
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