'Don't know why few players were left out, this is not the right team' - Shahid Afridi on Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2021 squad

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is not satisfied with Pakistan’s selection choices for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2021, scheduled to be played between October 17 to November 14 in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Afridi stated that he does not understand why were few players left out, although he stated that given this is his nation’s team, he would back them to win nonetheless.

“I don’t know why certain players were picked and a few were left out. I have heard that there are plans to announce a modified T20 World Cup squad. My individual thinking is that this is not the right team. Ideally, there should have been two three changes. So yeah, don’t agree with the squad chosen but this is our team so we have to support it at the World Cup,” Afridi told Cricket Pakistan.

All the teams have time until October 10 to finalize their squad, which could mean certain inclusions and exclusions from the Pakistan team, who have key players including Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shoaib Malik missing out from the 15-member squad.

Decision to hire new coaches should’ve been taken after World Cup: Shahid Afridi

While opening up regarding Pakistan’s decision to rope in former Australia opener Matthew Hayden and former South Africa pacer Vernon Philander as mentors for the multi-team tournament, Afridi said that it was a decision that should have been made after the tournament.

“Don’t think the new coaching staff (Hayden and Philander) will be able to make much of a difference at the T20 World Cup. This decision to hire new coaches should ideally have been taken after the World Cup.”

“If the coaches who have left quit on their own will, then they have wronged Pakistan cricket. The new ones who have come in will obviously say we have just taken over. I think the same coaches should have stayed till the T20 World Cup.”

Notably, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis resigned the same day Pakistan Cricket Board announced the 15-member T20 World Cup squad. Pakistan being their campaign on October 24 against arch-rivals India.