Karachi: Pakistan’s former captain Shahid Afridi advises national all-rounder Shadab Khan to respond to criticism with his performance instead of making statements about former cricketers.
This advice came when Shadab Khan, after the defeat against India, sarcastically remarked about former players amid criticism, saying, “They didn’t do what we did; we have beaten India in the World Cup.”
Speaking on a local news channel’s program, Shahid Afridi said Shadab is right in defending his fellow players’ achievements; however, the team failed to handle the respect and pressure after the historic victory against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Afridi stated that Shadab is absolutely correct. We couldn’t beat India in the World Cup; they did, they earned respect, but they couldn’t handle that respect.
The former captain said that not handling respect means that after 2021, the team couldn’t properly manage internal issues, individual pressures, and team matters collectively.
Shahid Afridi also reminded Shadab that when he was out of the team due to poor form, many former cricketers openly supported him and highlighted his all-round abilities.
Afridi said that when Shadab wasn’t performing and was being dropped from the team, we sat on TV saying Shadab is the backbone of the team, his overs are very important, and he can bat too; we were the ones speaking in Shadab’s favor.
Although Afridi praised Shadab’s good manners, he once again advised that the best response to criticism is performance on the field.
Citing his career, he said he too faced severe criticism and even abuse in his professional life, but he endured it and performed against big teams.
Afridi said Shadab made it to the national team without playing domestic cricket, yet former players are still supporting him today.
Finally, Afridi said, “Perform, then InshaAllah give a response, so that we also stay quiet, and when the World Cup ends, we will really be quiet.”
It may be noted that after the 102-run victory against Namibia in Colombo, all-rounder Shadab Khan said in a press conference that former cricketers have their opinions; they were legends, but they couldn’t do in World Cups what we have done; we have beaten India in the World Cup.
