'How are you making such mistakes, is there no one to...': Shahid Afridi reveals hard-hitting chat with embattled Pakistan star ahead of T20 WC

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi advised all-rounder Shadab Khan to deliver with the ball as well after he failed to perform in the second T20I against England where the hosts defeated Babar Azam & Co. by 23 runs. The 25-year-old could only manage to score three runs in four balls and was expensive with the ball as well. He gave 55 runs in his four-over spell in the second T20I against England. 

Before that in the first T20I against Ireland, he conceded 54 runs in four overs without a wicket. Shahid said that Shadab knows he is going through a bad phase, thus he advised the young all-rounder ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. 

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“I need Shadab to deliver with the ball. Whenever he has performed with the ball, Pakistan have won. I have watched all of his matches in the past. We had a detailed chat yesterday, I asked him who is coaching him or if there is something he is not doing, how are you making such mistakes is there no one to tell you?” Afridi said.

 

“I called yesterday because I know he is going through a difficult time so I always try to help and motivate players who are having a hard time. Similarly, I talked with Shadab about what he is doing wrong and I hope that if he does [what he discussed] in training sessions, you will see the difference,” he added.

 

Shahid Afridi Questioned PCB

Shahid also questioned the cricketing board about the lack of a dedicated leg-spin coach for the team.

 

“Is there any leg-spin coach with the team? Saeed Ajmal was there but he was an off-spinner. Ajmal should be asked if he guided Shadab and why is he not doing what he was told,” he said.

“I know there must be tremendous pressure on Shadab but big players know how to pull themselves out of such situations. I shared with him one to two problems I found with his bowling and I’m hoping that he will work on those things,” he added.

 

Pakistan cricket team is currently involved in the four-match T20I series against England where Jos Buttler & Co. are currently leading by 1-0 after this the team will travel to USA for the upcoming T20 World Cup which will start from June 2. 

 

Here is Pakistan's T20 World Cup Squad

 

Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

 

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