ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shaheen Afridi to be dropped? Rashid Latif makes massive statement

Rashid Latif has demanded a major shake-up in Pakistan’s fast bowling attack after their heavy defeat against New Zealand in the Tri-Nation ODI series opener. Rashid Latif criticized the dismal performance of senior pacers, especially Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.

According to Cricket Pakistan, Latif questioned when Shaheen Afridi last delivered a match-winning performance for the Men in Green while speaking on a private news channel. He also criticized Naseem Shah for his lack of significant contributions to the team despite his long tenure with the national team.

Rashid Latif slams Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

The former Pakistan captain also slammed the unfair treatment of players like Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha, who face constant criticism, but senior players like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan rarely face scrutiny for their poor performances.

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Meanwhile, Rashid Latif has insisted that the senior players must step up for Pakistan’s success, saying emerging players like Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir will perform once the senior players deliver. The former cricketer also suggested that if Haris Rauf had been fit, the outcome of the Pakistan versus New Zealand match would have been different last week.

Rashid Latif said, “When was the last time Afridi delivered a match-winning performance? No one is talking about these players' lackluster performances. Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir will perform when the main players step up.”

Rashid Latif urges PCB to hold senior players accountable if Pakistan loses

In the end, Latif urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to adopt a fresh approach, suggesting the apex body look for new fast-bowling talent as they are struggling because of the failures of Shaheen and Naseem. He also urged the PCB to make sure that the senior players, whether Babar or Shaheen, are held accountable for their underwhelming performances on the field.

Earlier, the former Australian captain Ricky Ponting shared his views on the impact of Saim Ayub’s absence from the Pakistan squad in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. The legendary cricketer said that the 22-year-old’s absence will leave a "huge gap" for the Pakistan team to fill at the mega event.

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Saim Ayub's absence is a massive gap to fill for Pakistan: Ricky Ponting

However, Ponting hailed Pakistan’s ace attack featuring Afridi and Naseem. He also noted that the skipper Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam’s form will decide their fate in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, starting on February 19 in Karachi.

Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by the ICC, “Saim Ayub is a high-quality player, and his absence is a massive gap to fill. But Pakistan's fast bowling brigade is very, very good. Led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, who've been terrific in recent series, they have the pace and skill to trouble any batting line-up.”

Notably, Pakistan will be next seen in action against South Africa in the ongoing Tri-Nation ODI series on February 11 at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi. They will face the Black Caps in the 2025 Champions Trophy opener at the same venue in Karachi on February 19.