‘On what basis has he been recalled?’: Shahid Afridi questions Shadab Khan’s inclusion in squad for NZ tour, says Pakistan cricket is in ICU

Shadab was left out in the cold after Pakistan's disastrous performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup but was recently reinstated and also given the vice captaincy for the tour against the Kiwis.

Shahid afridi Shadab Khan Pakistan Cricket

Former Pakistan player Shahid Afridi criticized the inclusion of allrounder Shadab Khan in the T20 squad which is set to take on New Zealand, saying that due to these incorrect decisions, Pakistan cricket is in ICU. Shadab was left out in the cold after Pakistan’s disastrous performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup but was recently reinstated and also given the vice captaincy for the tour against the Kiwis.

“On what basis has he been recalled? What are his performances in domestic cricket or otherwise that he had been picked again. All the time we talk about preparations and when an event comes and we flop then we talk about surgery. Fact is Pakistan cricket is in ICU because of incorrect decisions.”

Afridi also said that whenever a new chairman takes charge, he changes everything which becomes detrimental for Pakistan cricket’s progress.

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“There is no continuity, consistency in the Board’s decisions and policies. We keep changing captains, coaches or some players but in the end what is the accountability for Board officials,” the former skipper questioned.

“How can our cricket progress when there is a sword hanging constantly over the captain and coaches’ heads,” he added.

Pakistan recently released the squads which will play five T20Is and three ODIs in New Zealand starting March 16. Mohammad Rizwan and team talisman Babar Azam were dropped from the squad for the T20 series in New Zealand. Salman Ali Agha was named as the replacement for Rizwan as Pakistan captain of the T20 outfit with Shadab earning a recall into the team and being named vice-captain.

While Pakistan were eliminated from the Champions Trophy under his watch, Rizwan was retained as the ODI captain for the tour of New Zealand. However, pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were left out of the ODI team for the New Zealand tour. Batters Saud Shakil and Kamran Ghulam have also been axed from the ODI team.

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