Former captain Shahid Afridi sparked debate after urging selectors to rest key players following Pakistan’s defeat against India in the high-stakes encounter.
He suggested that Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan should be temporarily dropped to regain form and confidence.
Afridi said the Pakistan national cricket team must prioritize performance over reputation, insisting current form should decide selection rather than past achievements or status.
His remarks followed Pakistan’s defeat to the India national cricket team, where batting collapses and expensive overs exposed weaknesses in execution and planning.
Afridi emphasized resting players is common in international cricket, explaining that mental fatigue and tight schedules can affect performance even among experienced professionals.
Selectors have not responded publicly yet, but Afridi’s comments intensified debate among fans and analysts about whether Pakistan should introduce fresh talent.
Also read: Shahid Afridi Moved Permanently from Karachi to Islamabad
