Shaheen Afridi has lost his first series as captain after New Zealand thumped Pakistan by 45 runs in the third T20I match. Shaheen-led Pakistan conceded 224 runs after opting to bowl and managed a meagre 179 runs in response.
Shaheen Afridi was appointed T20I captain, along with Shan Masood as Test captain after Babar Azam resigned as captain after World Cup 2023. Unfortunately, both captains faced same fates, losing their first series as captain.
Shan Masood suffered a 3-0 clean sweep against Australia. Meanwhile Afridi’s side is on the verge of a clean sweep after losing first three games of the five match series.
Shaheen Afridi won all three toss but shockingly opted to bowl first each time. The decision seems baffling considering Pakistan’s old problem while chasing targets. Pakistan conceded 200 runs twice in those three games.
Afridi faced criticism over his on field decisions and fans as well as former cricketers have started questioning his leadership abilities as well.
— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) January 17, 2024
However, he defended his decision to bowl in the third T20I by saying, “This ground’s history, both in international and domestic cricket, showed us that chasing is easier here.”
He called it a team decision, while acknowledging his and other bowlers’ short coming to restrict New Zealand to a modest total.
“After consultation as a team, we thought it would be better to bowl first. Unfortunately, we didn’t deliver in the power-play as a bowling unit, and our bowling has collapsed in these three games.”
Pakistan captains to lose first three T20Is as captain:
– Shaheen Afridi
– End of listAn unwanted record for Shaheen 💔💔 #NZvsPAK pic.twitter.com/sN8ME0HOv0
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) January 17, 2024
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s batting line failed to get close to the target in each match, with Babar Azam being the only notable contributor. Azam scored half-century in each of the game, however, could not get enough support from the other end.
Babar Azam once again proved, in 3 matches he played 3 best innings – Shaheen Afridi#NZvPAK | #Cricket | #Pakistan | #ShaheenAfridi | #BabarAzam𓃵 | #Dunedin | #NewZealand pic.twitter.com/ups65Ayo8k
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) January 17, 2024
Cricket fans react over Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy
Shaheen Afridi was rested at Sydney so that he can go at ten an over and potentially oversee a whitewash in this t20 series.
— People’s Commissar (@faisal_parla) January 17, 2024
Imagine choosing to bowl first after winning the toss after losing two consecutive matches doing that but no one is calling out Shaheen Afridi for his defensive approach as a Captain 🤡🤡#PAKvsNZ #ShaheenAfridi #BabarAzam pic.twitter.com/AEeX5NXVOD
— Abdullah Orakzaiii (@AbdullahOrkzy23) January 17, 2024
No hate for Shaheen Afridi but captaining a national side is not everyone's cup of tea. #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/ljTB5hmAQ6
— Hamxa 🏏🇵🇰 (@hamxashahbax21) January 17, 2024
Pakistan has lost by 45 runs.
Shaheen Afridi is NOT international captain material. Rather, he doesn't even warrant an automatic selection in the team.— Basit Subhani (@BasitSubhani) January 17, 2024
There are some visible issues in Shaheen Afridi’s captaincy, however, it would be too early to judge his leadership skills. He has two more matches in the series, followed by PSL, where his team Lahore Qalandars are defending champions.
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