'The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters': Shahid Afridi slams Pakistan's middle-order batters after loss to England

Former Pakistan captain and ambassador of the upcoming edition of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, Shahid Afridi has criticised Babar Azam-led side’s middle-order batters’ approach. Afridi wants batters to improve their strike rate in the middle overs. 
 

"The thing that bothers me is the strike rate of our batters, especially in between the seven to thirteen over phase," Afridi told the ICC.
 

"I hope that the strike rate improves in that phase. In terms of runs per over, eight or nine runs per over are needed but still Pakistan are my favourite," he added.
 

In the second T20I of the four-T20I series against England, 69 runs were scored by Pakistan batters in the middle overs (7-15 overs). They also lost four wickets during the period as well. In the run chase of 184 at Edgbaston, Birmingham, Pakistan were bowled out for 160 and lost the match by 23 runs. 

Afridi predicts Pakistan will reach final again

However, Afridi who was part of Pakistan's T20 World Cup-winning team in 2009 feels pacers will be the key for them in the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. He also backed Pakistan to make it to the final. 
 

"I feel Pakistan should make the final. The reason is that the conditions (in West Indies and USA) suit our team," the 47-year-old said. 
 

"I think in any cricket team in the world, nobody has such a strong bowling line-up. All our four fast bowlers have a lot of skill and even the bowlers sitting on the bench like Abbas (Afridi)...has a lot of skill with a good slower ball. It's an incredible attack.
 

"If the players with such good skills enter this World Cup against world-class batters they will perform well. All the names will also have a huge responsibility over them." 

 

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In the previous editon, Pakistan recovered from a poor start and advanced to the final where they were beaten by England.
 

"If we look at the spinners in our team, they are outstanding. They might not be in form but I know they will return in form. In batting, we have great strength," he added.

 

Big players to fire

He also backed Babar and other key players to have a good run in the marquee event.
 

"All players in the team are important. But if you look at the performances in the recent past, Babar, (Mohammad) Rizwan, Fakhar (Zaman), Shaheen, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Shadab (Khan) -- all of them play an important role and will be key at the World Cup.
 

"But if I had to pick one, I would pick the captain Babar Azam, because he is the leader. I want him to perform well, make timely decisions which will take the team to victory," he further added.
 

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