Asia Cup 2023 has not been a smooth ride for Pakistan. After some early wins, the Babar Azam-led side faced a massive defeat against Rohit Sharma-led India and finally the Sri Lankan batsmen dashed all hopes for Pakistan in a do-or-die match. As the team returns to talks ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has some tough words to share.

Shahid Afridi criticized the team management for not experimenting with the team and repeatedly keeping out the in-form Shadab Khan in the playing XI. He even gave the example of India trying changes almost before every match.

“This is an age-old problem. India are playing in the Asia Cup, I have seen changes in their team almost every game. They have rested the seniors and played the juniors, which shows that they are preparing for the World Cup.” These decisions are very important, you choose a 15-man squad because the players on our bench are as good as those in the eleven. You shouldn’t have a problem with rest for the first-choice players,” NDTV quoted Shahid Afridi as saying. Samaa TV.

“If Shadab is rested, Usama Mir is there. He has performed well in Pakistan in the past. If someone is not performing in some matches, you should rest him. I am not saying drop him from the 15-man squad, you can keep him in team and still rest him. Let him have meetings with the head coach and the bowling coach. I really don’t know what our plans are,” he added.

Bigger concerns

Pakistan is always known for their dangerous bowling and the absence of two key players – Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have changed the game for the team. Haris Rauf did not play the match against India on the second day and Naseem Shah did not come out to bat in that match. Both the pacers missed the must-win match against Sri Lanka. So ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pakistan have to sort out some big bowling issues.

Shadab Khan has been out of form for some time now and another good spinner Mohammad Nawaz is also not that good for the team. Defeats and elimination might have dampened the team’s hopes, but Pakistan are too dangerous to be taken lightly.