Don’t expect Ahmed Shehzad, Umar Akmal to be like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers: Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi, known for his outspoken nature, believes that the country’s cricket think-tank made a mistake by having too many expectations on players like Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal.

“It was wrong to expect them to be like Virat Kohli or AB de Villiers and perform like them,” Afridi said in an interview with a local news channel.

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Shehzad and Umar, considered as two of the country’s best young batting talent, recently faced the axe after they were sidelined for the tour of England on disciplinary grounds. They were also not a part of the training and skills camps set up by the cricket board.

He said Shehzad and Umar needed to work hard on their cricket and approach.

“I also agree there should be no compromise on discipline. But I think it is best if we stop expecting too much from them and just let them be and let them play the way they do. With more experience I am sure they will be much better.”

“But don’t expect them to perform like Kohli or de Villiers. Don’t make such comparisons,” he added.

The news selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq brought some big upheaval in the team set-up. Afridi too lauded the appointment of Inzamam-Ul-Haq as the chief selector and said that Inzamam spoke to him about his future plans.

“And I told him that if he wants to try out youngsters then he should do that, but whenever he feels he needs me, I am there to play for Pakistan”, Afridi further said.