Like every other team, Pakistan is also in the preparation mode for the upcoming World Cup. The Pakistan selectors have rested some senior players for the forthcoming ODI series against Australia in UAE. However, the former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi isn’t happy with the team selection.
Pakistan national cricket team is set to play the five-match ODI series against Australia in UAE from 22nd to 31st March. Recently, the selectors had announced the 16-member Pakistan squad for the upcoming ODI series. However, the selectors have rested around six senior players for the forthcoming ODI series, including the captain Sarfraz Ahmed. Shoaib Malik has returned to the ODI captaincy for the upcoming series.
Meanwhile, the former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi hasn’t supported this decision. He feels that it is not the right time to rest the main players.
According to PTI, Shahid Afridi said on Monday (11th March), “Look if we had been playing against a weak side than it made sense to try new players but this is a series against a big team and I don’t think it was right time to rest players after all it is not as if they have been playing for some 10 or 15 years.”
We must first give chances to the established bowlers
Surprisingly, the selectors have selected the 18-year-old right-arm pacer Mohammad Hasnain who has played only two first-class matches and five T20s. The youngster recently shined in the PSL 2019.
However, Shahid Afridi believes that the established bowlers should earn the first chance in the upcoming ODI series. The former Pakistan captain thinks that Pakistan should build up the side for the forthcoming World Cup.
Shahid Afridi said, “I don’t know but we must first give chances to the established bowlers like Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz etc. First look and give proper chance to the established players because after all we are playing in the World Cup.”
During the last year, the left-arm pacer Junaid Khan played only five ODIs. On the other hand, another left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz hasn’t played a limited-overs international match since June 2017.
After the upcoming ODI series against Australia, Pakistan will tour in England. Before the World Cup, they will play one-off T20I and five-match ODI series against the hosts England from 5th to 19th May.
Then, Pakistan will participate in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. England and Wales will host the World Cup from 30th May to 14th July. The 1992 World Cup winners Pakistan will begin their World Cup tournament on 31st May against Windies at Nottingham.
Shahid Afridi about PSL
Shahid Afridi’s PSL side Multan Sultans have failed to reach the playoffs in the ongoing PSL 2019. The leg-spinner finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker for his team. He picked up ten wickets in eight matches with an average of 17.30.
The 39-year-old is still enjoying the cricket, and he is focusing for the next PSL season.
He said, “I haven’t had a very good time in this PSL but let’s see which franchise picks me next season or I stay with Multan.”
Multan Sultans’ last match in PSL 2019 was in Karachi on last Monday (11th March). Shahid Afridi feels very positive cricket future in Pakistan after the great response in Karachi.
He added, “It was my dream to play this PSL in front of the crowd in Karachi where I have been raised and played all my cricket. I got it today. The way the people have responded to the PSL matches being held in Pakistan I think it is a clear message that we as a nation love cricket and want to see matches at home.”
In the ongoing PSL season, Pakistan has organised the last eight matches of the tournament, including all playoffs.