"T20I captaincy should have been handed to Shoaib Malik instead of Babar Azam" : Shahid Afridi

[MenInG]

"T20I captaincy should have been handed to Shoaib Malik instead of Babar Azam" : Shahid Afridi

Pakistan former captain Shahid Afridi believes that veteran batsman Shoaib Malik would have been a better T20I captaincy choice over Babar Azam, as ICC T20 World Cup 2020 approaches.

“Babar Azam is no doubt the backbone of Pakistan batting line and a consistent performer for Pakistan, but I believe that the T20I captaincy should have been handed to Shoaib Malik instead of Babar Azam," said Afridi in a video.

The former captain was of the view that the appointment of Malik as T20I captain would have made more sense as ICC T20 World Cup nears. “Malik has been playing for a considerable period now, and has been part of various cricketing leagues as well, so as a captain Malik should have led Pakistan, till the World Cup at least," he added.

The former all-rounder applauded the outgoing captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for his achievements, as Pakistan won the Champions Trophy 2017 and also became a dominant T20I team under his leadership. “Sarfaraz shouldn't dishearten himself, as he could still serve Pakistan as a player as well, and he still got the time to make a strong comeback."

The PCB announced on Friday Azhar Ali as the national cricket team captain for Pakistan's World Test Championship matches in the 2019-20 season, meanwhile Babar Azam was named captain of the No.1 ranked T20I side until next year's ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020, which is now exactly one year away.

The decision on vice-captaincy will be made closer to the series, whilst captaincy for the ODIs will be finalised in due course as the national team's next assignment is scheduled from 4-9 July 2020 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen.

https://www.brecorder.com/2019/10/2...cy-choice-over-babar-azam-says-shahid-afridi/

 

[Danyaalr01]

I hope Babar ignores these brainless "legends of Pak cricket" and doesn't get disheartened by it. This will be a test for Babar too. It's the added pressure of being Pakistan Captain.

 

[Mercurial]

Babar Azam is the right choice, as he is our best LOIs batsman. If it was a domestic team named Pakistan then Malik would have made sense. Afridi has the habit of giving weird comments out of no where. I think Babar Azam is the only appointment which has been unanimously accepted by Pakistan cricket followers.

 

[Danyaalr01]

Babar Azam is the right choice, as he is our best LOIs batsman. If it was a domestic team named Pakistan then Malik would have made sense. Afridi has the habit of giving weird comments out of no where. I think Babar Azam is the only appointment which has been unanimously accepted by Pakistan cricket followers.

No I have seen quite a few people on here who didn't want Babar to be captain, or they wanted Sarfaraz to stay. But a lot of the time these guys have no knowledge about cricket and are the fans who sit in front of the TV shouting at the players to run or hit a six.

 

[big_gamer007]

Didn't Malik retire after the world cup?

 

[gazza619]

Didn't Malik retire after the world cup?

I think he plans to retire from T20s after the next WC.

By then T10 would be the next big thing which he may continue to be part of till the first T10 WC.

Then may be his plans are to play T5 until 2030.

 

[IMMY69]

How fitting that would have been.
Captain in 2007 for the inaugural World Cup and then captain again 13 years later at age of 40++

Ridiculous comes to mind.

 

[IMMY69]

I think he plans to retire from T20s after the next WC.

By then T10 would be the next big thing which he may continue to be part of till the first T10 WC.

Then may be his plans are to play T5 until 2030.

Can’t wait for the one over shoot out tournament!

 

[Shazzam]

I disagree with Afridi. Sarfraz should have remain captain.

 

[Bewal Express]

In no other country do these guys hang around like a bad smell. Malik has been awful for a long time and brings nothing to the table, and still we have these guys wanting them to become Captain. Rubbish players like Malik just bring bad experience to the table.

 

[Mirpur express]

Rubbish players make even worse statements/suggestions

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

I would rather see Imad Wasim captaining Pakistan in T20's. Despite having limited talent, he has always worked hard to give best and already has some match wining Innings under his belt. He is bold, with better understanding of game, who can lead the team upfront.

 

[angrypathan]

I would rather see Imad Wasim captaining Pakistan in T20's. Despite having limited talent, he has always worked hard to give best and already has some match wining Innings under his belt. He is bold, with better understanding of game, who can lead the team upfront.

His fitness is enough evidence of his poor work ethic.

 

[Hasan123]

Stupid comments. This doesn't help anyone.

 

[topspin]

The toxic seniority culture has infected all the minds of Pakistan cricket.

 

[Green Patriot]

Afridi now has a YouTube channel.Fully expect more stupid comments on every happening in Pakistan cricket now.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

His fitness is enough evidence of his poor work ethic.

Doesn't matter as long as he is winning the matches for team. Look at Rohit Sharma, the guy is laziest cricketer I have ever seen in post Dhoni era, but is beast when it comes to contributing with bat.

 

[JaDed]

No I have seen quite a few people on here who didn't want Babar to be captain, or they wanted Sarfaraz to stay. But a lot of the time these guys have no knowledge about cricket and are the fans who sit in front of the TV shouting at the players to run or hit a six.

But no one said Shoaib Malik though lol

 

[cricketAXEpert]

Pakistan former captain Shahid Afridi believes that veteran batsman Shoaib Malik would have been a better T20I captaincy choice over Babar Azam, as ICC T20 World Cup 2020 approaches.

“Babar Azam is no doubt the backbone of Pakistan batting line and a consistent performer for Pakistan, but I believe that the T20I captaincy should have been handed to Shoaib Malik instead of Babar Azam," said Afridi in a video.

The former captain was of the view that the appointment of Malik as T20I captain would have made more sense as ICC T20 World Cup nears. “Malik has been playing for a considerable period now, and has been part of various cricketing leagues as well, so as a captain Malik should have led Pakistan, till the World Cup at least," he added.

The former all-rounder applauded the outgoing captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for his achievements, as Pakistan won the Champions Trophy 2017 and also became a dominant T20I team under his leadership. “Sarfaraz shouldn't dishearten himself, as he could still serve Pakistan as a player as well, and he still got the time to make a strong comeback."

The PCB announced on Friday Azhar Ali as the national cricket team captain for Pakistan's World Test Championship matches in the 2019-20 season, meanwhile Babar Azam was named captain of the No.1 ranked T20I side until next year's ICC T20 World Cup Australia 2020, which is now exactly one year away.

The decision on vice-captaincy will be made closer to the series, whilst captaincy for the ODIs will be finalised in due course as the national team's next assignment is scheduled from 4-9 July 2020 against the Netherlands in Amstelveen.

https://www.brecorder.com/2019/10/2...cy-choice-over-babar-azam-says-shahid-afridi/

But Lala, Shoaib Malik was not even selected as a player. it is hard to captain a side when you are not even part of the squad.

 

[Titan24]

Many ex players try to look for short term fixes rather than seeing the bigger picture. Babar is obviously the future of Pakistan so it was high time to start developing him.

 

[Usman]

I think he plans to retire from T20s after the next WC.

By then T10 would be the next big thing which he may continue to be part of till the first T10 WC.

Then may be his plans are to play T5 until 2030.

Could there be a T-1 ball? We need to find a tournament where Malik has a realistic chance of surviving at lease the majority of the balls he faces.

As for Afridi, this comment is like one of his shots. Rash, miscued and completely ill-judged.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

These 90s and early 2000s debuted players feel like they are entitled to play for Pakistan forever.

Malik and hafeez should be happy if they are allowed to play the t20 WC to end on a high note.

Until new players given opportunities and exposed to international matches they will continue to be gully morally cricketers as that is what afridi and his peers want so that they prolong their careers

I salute Misbah in this case, completely surprised everyone with his selections for the tour of Australia by picking young players, except Imran Khan snr for tests is the only black mark there. Ok with Irfan’s selection in the t20s for Australia. His fitness shud be good enuf to play in t20s

 

[Bewal Express]

Experience of what? Malik has has a decade long rope and he has shown nothing.

 

[MenInG]

Shahid Afridi speaking on his YouTube channel:

"Haris Sohail I love your batting but dont try and play new type of shots - play to your strengths"

"You (Haris) were out twice to the same shot so if you want to play it, you will need to practice it"

"I found it strange that we sent in Asif before Iftikhar- Asif is to be used in the last 3-4 overs, and he needs to play with the mind that he has to play shots only - no singles or doubles"

"Well done to you Iftikhar, granted that you arent my favourite player but I have to say that you played an excellent inning"

"Wahab you have been the strength of the Pakistan side before and even now I think you are our match-wining bowler"

"Wahab you will need to bowl faster - I could not see the energy in your bowling in the 2nd T20I that you usually have"

 

[The Viper]

Such a simpleton Afridi.

Asif is useless regardless what way you use him.

 

[Cricketrenew]

Afridi exciting player … but not very useful otherwise.... remember his autobiography I tried to tell the whole what was happening in the spot fixing but no one was listening.... maybe he should gone to ICC, instead of letting us fans suffer.

Malik should not be captain he is not as good as he was a few years ago... but there again Waqar and Misbah should not be where they are now..

I guess it could be worse Afridi could be coach or selector......

 

[Nasty Naz]

Afridi is a pretty funny guy...

His opinions are as bad as Akhtar and most other ex-players.

 

[NoBallZombie]

Afridi is a pretty funny guy...

His opinions are as bad as Akhtar and most other ex-players.

Whats even funnier is that both akhtar and afridi claim that the whole team was fixing while they were the messiah working to take pakistan to the top. We are so unlucky to have people like these as supposed role models for youngsters.

 

[Kroll]

Afridi suffering from "another ex-cricketer talking absolute **" syndrome.

 

[The cricket enthusiast]

Whats even funnier is that both akhtar and afridi claim that the whole team was fixing while they were the messiah working to take pakistan to the top. We are so unlucky to have people like these as supposed role models for youngsters.

does that include inzimam, yusuf , saqlain,saeed anwar ?

 

[Sultan Baba]

Shoaib Malik leading the pack when it comes to win percentages for captains in T20 games

Win % as T20 captain:

Shoaib Malik: 132 games. 66.15%
Rohit Sharma: 127 games. 62.20%
MS Dhoni: 270 games. 60.29%
Darren Sammy: 192 games. 51.33%
Virat Kohli: 143 games. 51.09%

(t20 internationals and leagues)

 

[MenInG]

So you suggesting he be made Pakistan T20I captain?

 

[nextover666666]

What was his percentage for international games only were it matters the most