Shahid Afridi Hints At Changes In Pakistan's T20 World Cup Squad

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi hinted that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could make a few changes in the national team’s T20 World Cup squad.

On September 6, PCB announced a 15-member squad led by Babar Azam to represent Pakistan in the T20 World Cup next month in the United Arab Emirates.

I am definitely surprised by the selection: Shahid Afridi

The likes of veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik and former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed were missing from the squad, something that led many experts to have a go at the board.

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Afridi, who led Pakistan in the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, said that there will be some last-minute changes in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.

“I am definitely surprised by the selection. I don’t understand the selection of two to three players in the squad. I also don’t understand how we could have left a couple of names out of the squad either,” Afridi told Cricket Pakistan.

“I have received some information and PCB is very likely to announce another squad for the upcoming World Cup with some changes,” he added.

I don’t think Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander are going to make much of an impact: Shahid Afridi

Just a month before the mega event, Misbah-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis resigned from the duties of the Pakistan cricket team’s head coach and bowling coach respectively. Australia’s Matthew Hayden and South Africa’s Vernon Philander were named as consultants of Pakistan for the T20 World Cup.

Afridi is of the opinion that Hayden and Philander won’t add much impact to the national team in a short period.

“I don’t think Matthew Hayden and Vernon Philander are going to make much of an impact due to shortage of time. If they [Misbahul Haq and Waqar Younis] resigned on their own then they have seriously hurt Pakistan cricket team and should definitely have waited till the World Cup was over,” Afridi said.