Shahid Afridi slams Pakistan’s selection ‘surgery’, questions ignoring domestic performers

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has launched a sharp criticism of Pakistan’s current selection policies, questioning why consistent performers in domestic cricket are repeatedly overlooked while relatively inexperienced youngsters are fast-tracked into the national team.

Speaking during a recent television interview, Afridi expressed serious concerns over what he described as a flawed approach to rebuilding the national side. The former all-rounder took particular issue with the term “surgery,” which has frequently been used to justify major changes within the Pakistan team.

According to Afridi, the so-called restructuring often results in only a handful of new and inexperienced players being introduced rather than a genuine overhaul based on domestic performances.

“I was writing down a few names with you and wondering where these players have gone,” Afridi said. “When we talk about ‘surgery’ in the team, what usually happens is that two or three new youngsters suddenly appear in the side. These are players who have only played one season or around eight to ten matches. It’s good if they are brought in based on performance, but even that doesn’t seem to be the case here.”

The former captain also highlighted several domestic performers he believes deserve serious consideration for national selection. Afridi argued that players who consistently deliver in domestic competitions should be prioritized.

Referring to emerging talents, he mentioned players such as Shahzaib Khan, Imam-ul-Haq, Shamyl Hussain, Taimoor Khan, and Maaz Sadaqat as players who have been performing strongly in domestic cricket.

“If I share the list, the youngsters I referred to — the ones I called ‘choozay’ — include Shahzaib Khan, who currently has the highest runs with an average of around 80. After him there is Imam-ul-Haq, then Shamyl Hussain, Taimoor Khan and Maaz Sadaqat. If you had to select from them, Shahzaib should have been picked first because he has the most runs,” Afridi stated.

Afridi further questioned the team management’s strategy of constantly moving on to new players while previously groomed prospects seem to disappear from the national setup despite having already represented Pakistan.

“Tell me one thing — you have brought in these youngsters based on a few first-class matches, but what happened to those players who were supposed to be our future? The ones we were developing?” he asked.

The former all-rounder listed several cricketers who were once regarded as long-term prospects for Pakistan but are now absent from the national conversation. Among them were Abdullah Shafique, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Sufiyan Muqeem, Mohammad Hasnain, Khushdil Shah, Aamer Jamal, and Shahnawaz Dahani.

He questioned why many of these players, once labelled the future of Pakistan cricket, have suddenly faded from the selection radar.

“Have they expired? Have they retired?” Afridi remarked. “Suddenly these new youngsters who have only played eight or ten first-class matches are being labelled as Pakistan’s future.”

Afridi concluded by raising concerns about the lack of clarity in Pakistan’s selection pathway, asking where experienced domestic performers are supposed to go to regain visibility.

“Tell me what these other players are supposed to do now. Imam and others have played for Pakistan for so long — where should they go and perform? Should they sit in the PCB office and perform there?” he said.

Afridi’s remarks come at a time when Pakistan’s selection strategy has been under increasing scrutiny, with debates intensifying over whether domestic performances are being given adequate weight in national team selection.