Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt criticizes Shadab for his inability to read the pitch© AFP
After Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan in the first T20I on Friday, Shadab Khanwho is leading the group in his absence Babar Azam, was met with harsh criticism from former players. With five key players — captain Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar ZamanShaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf take a break for the series — Pakistan has given the right to launch T20I to the beaters Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and fast pitchers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan. However, Pakistan was capped at 92/9 for 20 rounds after choosing to hit the stroke.
In the reply, Mohamad Prophet guided Afghanistan to a six-game win, going 38 games unbeaten with multiple serves on a spin-friendly track at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Former captain of Pakistan Salman butt criticized Shadab for his inability to read pitch and the wrong pitch position.
“The pitch is favorable for slow bowling. Although he plays a lot of cricket, Shadab is bowling with his fast pitchers and he is also fast bowling. Najib Zadran did not slip when the Afghan players had a tough time against Ihsanullah, but Shadab kept the pitchers on the line. What did you read about the surface you chose to play on this court? You know what. You’ve played with four fast pitchers on this field, you don’t play in Perth,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.
After the defeat, Shadab confessed that his new players were nervous.
“Tactically, we were fine. But sometimes this can happen because young players are nervous. They need to be given a chance, they will get better,” he said.
For Afghanistan, it was the first victory over Pakistan in international cricket.
This is the first bilateral series between the two nations with the remaining matches also in Sharjah on Sunday and Monday.
(With AFP input)
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