“Why not play the juniors sitting on the bench?” - Shahid Afridi wants three senior Pakistan players to be axed after defeat to India

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has opened up on Pakistan’s 61-run defeat to their arch-rivals India in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 campaign on Sunday, February 15, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Speaking on a local Pakistani sports show, Afridi reckoned that it’s high time to drop senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Shabad Khan out of the playing XI and bring in benched players for the game against Namibia.

“So if I have to make a decision here, I would even sit Shaheen out, sit Babar out, and sit Shadab out as well. I would play the new boys, give the youngsters a chance. And in our match against Namibia, I would back them, give them confidence, and keep playing them,” Afridi stated.

“Because we’ve been watching these players for so long, they keep getting opportunities. And every time, we expect that against a team like this, they will perform. These are senior players. If they’re not delivering for you, then why not play the juniors sitting on the bench? What’s the big difference anyway?” he questioned.

Shifting our focus to the details of the game, India was tasked to bat first. Despite losing the toss, the Indian batters, led by Ishan Kishan, posted a dominating total of 175/7 in 20 overs on a tough Colombo surface.

Opening batter Kishan was the star, scoring 77 runs off 40 balls with 10 fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 192.5. Part-time spinner Saim Ayub was the top bowler for Pakistan, pocketing three wickets.

In the second innings, Pakistan suffered losing wickets at regular intervals, getting bundled out for 114 runs in 18 overs. Usman Khan was the top scorer with 44 runs in 34 balls. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Axar Patel, and Varun Chakravarthy scalped two wickets each.

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