Asia Cup 2022: Yes, Shaheen Shah Afridi Is A Key Player, But Should We Demotivate The Rest Of The Squad By Worrying So Much? – Salman Butt
Published - 21 Aug 2022, 11:42 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:12 AM
Former Pakistan National Cricket Team captain Salman Butt has said that the 22-year-old left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is a key player of Team Pakistan, but people should not demotivate the rest of the squad by worrying too much about his absence.
On Saturday, August 20, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement confirming that Shaheen has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 due to a right knee ligament injury. Notably, Shaheen sustained the injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Also, he has been advised 4-6 weeks of rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee and he is expected to return to competitive cricket in October.
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In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt said that he is surprised with the overreaction to the young pacer getting ruled out of Asia Cup 2022. He said:
“Is this the last India-Pakistan match? Is this the last Asia Cup? I know the kind of impact Shaheen makes. Yes, he is a key player. But should we demotivate the rest of the squad by worrying so much about it and reacting as if there is no solution? Backup players are readied for these days. Unless they play, how will they gain experience and learn?”
What is the point of discussing something that cannot happen? – Salman Butt on Mohammad Amir Replacing Shaheen
Butt further discussed whether Mohammad Amir, who retired from international cricket in 2020, can replace Shaheen in the squad for the Asia Cup 2022. Responding to a user query, he said:
“Mohammad Amir is a retired player. There is no place for emotional decisions in this professional field. He has not played any competitive cricket in terms of domestic or tournaments that have proper recognition. He plays in some leagues. He is a good bowler, in fact, an excellent bowler, no doubt about that. But he has not taken back his retirement yet. What is the point of discussing something that cannot happen?”
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