PCB told to put mental pressure on Shaheen Afridi: 'Don’t pick him anywhere'

Pakistan’s premier fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, is facing intense criticism for his recent struggles, with Sikander Bakht demanding the dropping of the left-arm pacer from the national team. Sikander Bakht believes that Shaheen Afridi should be dropped from the Pakistan National Cricket Team and sent back to domestic cricket to regain his rhythm.

Shaheen’s performance in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand was just below par for his stature. In the fourth T20I, where Pakistan suffered a crushing 115-run defeat, Shaheen was one of the most expensive bowlers, conceding 49 runs in his four-over spell without making an impact against the Black Caps.

Shaheen Afridi’s T20I performance sparks debate on his place in the team

Shaheen Afridi’s overall series figures have been disappointing in the ongoing T20I series, with only two wickets to his name against the Black Caps so far. The 24-year-old pacer’s disastrous performance in the second T20I as New Zealand’s Tim Seifert hammered four sixes in a single over.

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After another poor performance with the ball, the former Pakistani pacer Sikander Bakht believes that Shaheen needs to take a break from international cricket and work on his form in domestic cricket to rediscover his touch. He also suggested that Pakistan should look at other fast-bowling options instead of giving regular chances to an out-of-form bowler like Afridi.

People say no one is on the bench, so drop Shaheen Afridi: Sikander Bakht

Bakht believes that Afridi should be dropped from the national team and insisted that putting pressure on the pacer will motivate him to improve and earn his place back. He wants the team management to drop Shaheen with a proper message about his form.

Sikander Bakht was quoted as saying by Geo Super: “My formula is clear. Don't select him until and unless he goes back to play domestic cricket. Don't pick him up anywhere. Please give him a rest. Put some pressure on him. People say no one is on the bench, so drop Shaheen.

Tell Shaheen he is being dropped because of poor form. Let him play domestically. Let him get some incentive to come back into the team.”

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Rashid Latif urges PCB and team management to put pressure on Shaheen Afridi

Meanwhile, the former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif said that Shaheen has no competition in the team since Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain are not there. So, Latif believes that Shaheen should be put under pressure, as it is necessary for him and the national side.

Rashid Latif told the same local channel, “The pressure regarding the team has been taken away from Shaheen. Naseem Shah is not here. Mohammad Hasnain is not in the team. You have to put pressure on Shaheen. It is the need of the hour.”

Well, the Men in Green have already lost the T20I series to the Black Caps. Now, Pakistan and New Zealand will play the final T20I on March 26. After that, both teams will get ready for the ODI series starting on March 29, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan returning to the side after being dropped from the T20I squad for the ongoing series.