Shahid Afridi Issues Fiery Challenge to Shadab Khan: ‘Perform Against Big Teams’
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has publicly challenged all-rounder Shadab Khan to validate his place in the national side by performing against top-tier opposition in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The critique follows Shadab’s comments referencing Pakistan’s historic 2021 victory over India as a defense against recent scrutiny.
Following Pakistan’s emphatic 102-run victory over Namibia in Colombo, which secured the team’s spot in the Super 8s, Shadab Khan addressed media questions regarding criticism from former legends. However, his reliance on past achievements drew a sharp rebuke from Afridi, who emphasized that the team’s inability to handle the “respect” gained from the 2021 victory contributed to internal issues.
The Spark: Shadab’s Defense of Past Glories
In the crucial Group A fixture, Shadab Khan delivered a Player of the Match-worthy performance, scoring an unbeaten 35 and claiming three wickets. During the post-match press conference, the 27-year-old responded to critics—including Afridi and Mohammad Yousuf—by highlighting his role in the squad that defeated India by 10 wickets in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Dubai.
This defense came after Afridi and Yousuf had previously suggested resting senior players, including Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, following a defeat to India earlier in the tournament on February 15. Under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan has since stabilized their campaign.
Afridi’s Rebuttal: “Let Your Bat and Ball Talk”
Speaking on a local news channel, Shahid Afridi acknowledged Shadab’s talent but dismissed the reliance on historical metrics. Afridi argued that the respect earned from the 2021 victory was squandered due to internal team friction.
“Shadab was absolutely right when he said that we didn’t beat India in the World Cups, but his side did,” Afridi stated. “They got respect after that, but they couldn’t handle it. By the respect thing, I mean that after they defeated India, they could not handle the issues between them.”
Afridi urged the all-rounder to focus on the upcoming challenges in the Super 8s rather than past accolades or performances against associate nations.
Match Snapshot: Pakistan vs. Namibia
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Venue | R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo |
| Result | Pakistan won by 102 runs |
| Shadab Khan Stats | 35* (Runs), 3 Wickets |
| Tournament Stage | Group A (Qualifier for Super 8s) |
The Super 8s Challenge
Afridi, known for his aggressive style during his playing days with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) teams, reminded Shadab that true legends are forged in matches against heavyweights. He pointed out that previous generations backed their words with performances against major cricketing nations, not just smaller teams.
“I know Shadab, he is a very good guy… But Shadab beta (son), you must perform,” Afridi said directly addressing the player. “We stood by you in your difficult times; you didn’t play domestic cricket, yet you still got into the national team. If you want to answer us, then do it by performing on the field. Perform and let the World Cup get over, we will get quiet after that.”
Pakistan is set to begin their Super 8s campaign this Saturday against New Zealand at the R. Premadasa Stadium. The team faces a grueling schedule with matches against top contenders:
- New Zealand (Saturday)
- England
- Sri Lanka
Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Shadab can translate his form against Namibia into match-winning contributions against the world’s best, as demanded by his former captain.
For more detailed statistics and match analysis, visit ESPNcricinfo.