Shahid Afridi Responds to Shadab Khan’s ‘Never Beaten India’ Remark

Off-field turmoil has once again taken center stage in Pakistani cricket. Following a 61-run loss to India earlier in the T20 World Cup, numerous former cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Yousuf, and Shoaib Akhter, have criticised the current squad, urging Pakistan cricket to move on from the seniors and choose newbies in the shortest format.

The comment, however, irritated all-rounder Shadab Khan, who reminded the former cricketers of their failure to overcome India in an ICC competition in recent years. “Our ex-cricketers have their own opinions. They have done well for Pakistan, but they have never defeated India in the World Cup,” Shadab said following the match against Namibia.

Shahid Afridi responded to the criticism

Afridi responded to the criticism by discussing Pakistan cricket traditions. He remarked that such criticisms have been passed down through generations and urged Shadab to respond with match-winning performances against championship contenders rather than simply criticising the minnows.

(Even when we used to play cricket, former players said a lot about us. They even said, ‘Lanat hai’ (curse). We endured it and responded with performances against larger teams rather than smaller ones. “We responded through performance,” Afridi stated on Samaa TV.

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“Shadab, you did well against Namibia; now, do it against New Zealand. Son, give performances. In difficult circumstances, we stood alongside you. You didn’t play aggressive cricket, yet you made it back into the Pakistan team. Now answer with performances, so that we too become mute. Perform; once the World Cup is over, we will be quiet, son,” he added.

Pakistan’s journey to Super Eights

Pakistan advanced to the tournament’s Super Eights after defeating Namibia. They are now placed in Group B, alongside England, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. The top two teams with the most points in the group will advance to the semi-finals, which will be held on March 4 and 5.