Former Shahid Afridi has advised Shadab Khan to let his performances answer critics, following comments where Shadab compared his generation’s achievements to those of former players. Afridi emphasized that results on the field carry far more weight than statements off it.
Speaking on a local news channel, Afridi said Shadab was right to defend his team’s accomplishments but reminded him that handling respect and pressure after historic wins, such as the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup victory over India, is challenging. “Shadab is absolutely right. We didn’t win against India, they won. They got respect, but they couldn’t handle the respect,” Afridi explained.
Afridi highlighted that he and other former cricketers supported Shadab during periods of poor form or when he was out of the team. “When he wasn’t able to perform well, we used to say on TV, ‘Shadab is the backbone, Shadab’s overs are very important, he can bat as well,’” he said.
While praising Shadab’s respectful behavior toward everyone, Afridi encouraged him to focus on strong performances, especially against top teams. Reflecting on his own career, Afridi recalled facing criticism from former players but choosing to respond through high-level performances against major opponents.
Addressing Shadab directly, Afridi said, “Shadab, you also performed well against Namibia. God willing, you will also perform against New Zealand. Son, give performances. In difficult times, we used to stand with you, we used to back you, we used to pick you up.”
Afridi concluded by reminding Shadab that he entered the national team without playing domestic cricket but still received support from veterans. He urged the young all-rounder to stay focused on his game and let his performance on the field silence critics.
Also read: Afridi Urges Dropping Babar, Shaheen, Shadab After Loss
