Shahid Afridi calls for dropping senior trio, urges opportunities for young players

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has called for bold changes to Pakistan’s T20 setup, suggesting that senior players should be rested in favor of emerging talent ahead of the team’s upcoming fixture against Namibia.

Speaking during a media interaction, Afridi said that if the decision were his to make, he would temporarily move on from key players including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan to give younger cricketers an opportunity to prove themselves.

“If I had to make the decision, I would put Shaheen, Babar and Shadab out of the game and give new players a chance,” Afridi said. “Give them confidence and let them play against Namibia.”

Afridi emphasized that the senior trio have been part of the setup for a considerable period and should be expected to deliver consistently, particularly against comparatively lower-ranked sides.

“We have been watching them for a long time. We expect them to perform well against this team. If they cannot perform here, then why should we give them opportunities against stronger or junior sides?” he questioned.

The former all-rounder’s remarks add to the growing debate surrounding Pakistan’s team combination and long-term direction. Calls for refreshing the squad and building bench strength have intensified following recent inconsistent performances in major tournaments.

Afridi’s suggestion reflects a broader push among former cricketers for accountability and competition within the squad, as Pakistan look to rebuild momentum and restore confidence in their T20 campaign.