'We Need To Support The Players In Tough Times' : Shahid Afridi Comes In Support Of Pakistan Following Their Humiliating Loss To England

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi has emerged as the rare one to back the national team amid backlash following their whitewash against England. Several former cricketers have slammed the men in green for losing the three-match ODI series to a second-string England team. Shahid Afridi stated that the current crop is the best side they can field and that they need support in tough times.

In the first two ODIs, Pakistan’s batting cost them as their batting mainstay and captain Babar Azam failed to make substantial scores. Babar Azam started the series with 0 and 19 before smashing a career-best 158 in the final ODI in Edgbaston as tourists set 332 to win for England. But on this occasion, their bowling was the culprit as it failed to defend a mammoth score. Pakistan’s poor fielding effort was also one of the significant factors in that match.

Shahid Afridi underlined that the current crop of national players are the best they have in terms of talent and ability as a few of them have performed consistently. The 41-year old conceded that the management has to maximize their talent and keep them hungry for success. Afridi also feels that the players need their full support in testing times.

“At present, the players representing the Pakistan national team are the best we have in terms of talent and ability. These players have performed consistently in recent times, in fact, some of them have been performing for a considerable time period. These are our best players, they are the ones whose talent we have to utilise. We need to keep them motivated and hungry for success. We need to support the players in tough times, as a cricket fan and former player,” Afridi said as quoted by India Today.

All our players need to back their abilities and play on their actual strength: Shahid Afridi

Shahid Afridi further stated that he can accept a team losing as long as they fight well. While the retired swashbuckling all-rounder believes attack is the best form of defence, he believes Pakistan cricketers need to find a middle ground as they are either good at defending or attacking. Afridi wants players to back their abilities.

“I can accept the team losing as long as they fight it out on the field. I feel that cricket has changed a lot in recent years. Now, attack is the best defence and there is no way to succeed other than by playing with an attacking intent, especially in the white-ball formats. Our players are good at either attacking or blocking. Maybe, we need to find a middle way, especially for the ODI format. All our players need to back their abilities and play on their actual strength,” he added.

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