'India can revolve around match-winners, but we...': Shahid Afridi blasts Pakistan for failure in Australia T20Is

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team all-rounder Shahid Afridi lashed out at Mohammad Rizwan & Co. for their failure in the T20I series against the Australia National Cricket Team.

Shahid Afridi opined that there is an urgent need for small contributions from almost every player in the team for the success of Pakistan in the shorter format of the game.

Also Read: 'Furious' Mohammad Rizwan attacks Babar Azam for dropping 'crucial catches' against Australia

Pakistan lost the T20I series against Australia

The Men In Green started off the three-match T20I series against Australia with a 29-run loss. The opening match of the series in Brisbane was delayed due to rain and turned into a 7-over-per-side contest.

Batting first, Australia registered a huge total of 93/4 on the board and then restricted Pakistan to 64/9 to earn a victory.

In the second T20I, Australia posted a decent total of 147/9 on the board, thanks to the combined contributions from the batters. For Pakistan, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, and Sufiyan Muqeem dominated with the ball and troubled the Aussies.

Chasing the target, Usman Khan (52) and Irfan Khan (37) kept Pakistan in the hunt, but they eventually lost the match by 13 runs. On the 4th ball of the 20th over, Pakistan were bowled out for 134. With the defeat, the Men In Green went down 0-2 in the series.

India can revolve around match-winners like they did in Joburg yesterday - Shahid Afridi

After the game, the legendary Pakistan National Cricket Team all-rounder Shahid Afridi took to his official X handle to share his views on the match.

Shahid Afridi stated that Pakistan need to fire as a unit as they cannot be dependent on individual match-winners like the India National Cricket Team.

"Only a couple of more small but meaningful contributions to back Haris, Usman and Irfan efforts would have taken us over the line in Sydney," Shahid Afridi said.

"India can revolve around match-winners, like they did in Joburg yesterday, but we will require even contributions from most players if not all to succeed consistently in T20Is," Shahid Afridi added.

Only a couple of more small but meaningful contributions to back Haris, Usman and Irfan efforts would have taken us over the line in Sydney.
India can revolve around match-winners, like they did in Joburg yesterday, but we will require even contributions from most players if not…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 16, 2024

Embarrassing performance by Pakistan against the current Australian side - Ahmed Shehzad

Pakistan National Cricket Team player Ahmed Shehzad was also disappointed with the performance of Mohammad Rizwan & Co. in the 2nd T20I.

He labeled the performance of Pakistan as embarrassing and blasted Mohammad Rizwan for his awful 26-ball 16 in the 2nd T20I. Shehzad also demanded a change in the Pakistan top order.

"No boundaries in the first 10 overs and you think about winning a game? We are still stuck in the past. Embarrassing performance by Pakistan against the current Australian side. Some fight by youngsters, Irfan & Usman," Ahmed Shehzad.

"In the bowling department by Sufiyan and Haris. 16 on 26, Rizwan as a captain, you cannot afford to do that. We need a change in our top order. It's tough to be a bowler in this Pakistan side. Another loss for Pakistan. #PAKvsAUS," he added.

No boundaries in the first 10 overs and you think about winning a game? We are still stuck in the past. Embarrassing performance by Pakistan against the current Australian side. Some fight by youngsters, Irfan & Usman. In the bowling department by Sufiyan and Haris. 16 on 26,…

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) November 16, 2024