Out-of-favour opener Ahmad Shahzad has lashed out at the Pakistan national team after they were whitewashed 0-3 in a T20I series against a second-string Australian team. Pakistan were hammered by seven wickets in the series finale in Hobart on Monday, November 18.
Pakistan were shot out for 117 despite a handy 41 off 28 balls from Babar Azam. Australia chased down the target of 118 in just 11.2 overs with Marcus Stoinis smashing a 27-ball 61. The gulf in class and the approaches to playing the format were evident as Pakistan were comfortably outplayed in all three T20Is.
In a strongly worded statement, Ahmad Shazad said Pakistan batters lack power to consistently hit the big ones, adding that the seniors are a ‘baggage’ in the T20I team.
“This team needs a revamp, Senior players who are baggage on the team must be replaced, Getting whitewashed by this Australian side is shameful, horrible, & embarrassing to say the least. Australia chased Pakistan’s total in just 11. 2 overs. This is what modern-day cricket is. Our players lack power. There is no answer for such a horrible performance,” Shahzad wrote on X.
Australia vs Pakistan, 3rd T20I: Highlights
Pakistan floundered in the T20I series, days after the high of winning their first-ever ODI series in Australia in 22 years. While Pakistan were able to compete and dominate in the ODI series, their weaknesses were exposed in the shortest format.
Senior player Babar Aam managed just 47 runs in the three-match series while captain Mohammad Rizwan, who was rested for the third T20I, scored just 16 runs across the two T20Is.
With the ball, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah were not able to impress, managing just a wicket each in the series. Shaheen played all three games, conceding 107 runs in 9 overs, while Naseem, who was rested for the third T20I, gave away 81 runs in just six overs.
‘CHANGES MUST BE MADE FOR SOUTH AFRICA TOUR’
Pakistan will next be playing three ODIs and as many T20Is in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5. the T20I side wears a fresh look with both Rizwan and Babar rested from the assignment.
However, Shahzad said Pakistan should take a bold call and look beyond underperforming senior players in the T20I side and pick a young team for the T20I series in South Africa, starting December 10.
“For the upcoming South African series let’s see if Pakistan will go with the same failed players or will selectors choose younger talent from the domestic circuit, and drop senior players. Changes must be made to both the batting and bowling department,” he added.
Pakistan have had a tough year in T20Is, losing 13 and winning just seven out of 22 matches. Under Babar Azam’s captaincy, they were also knocked out of the T20 World Cup before the knockout stages.
