Shaheen Afridi knows a thing or two about being part of a winning culture, and after success with Lahore Qalandars, he is looking to bring the same to Pakistan’s international cricket team.
Shaheen, one of Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers and a leader within the national setup, has called for greater unity and mutual support within the country’s cricketing fraternity to help improve its fortunes on the international stage.
In a pointed observation after the PSL X final, Shaheen stressed that a major difference between Pakistan and top-tier international teams lies not just in skill or resources, but in how former players rally behind their national side.
“If we want to improve Pakistan cricket, we need to support each other,” Shaheen Afridi said. “Why are foreign teams strong? Because their ex-cricketers support them. They don’t go around saying this happened or that happened because of someone else.”
The left-arm quick’s comments come at a time when Pakistan cricket continues to navigate internal criticism and off-field distractions, often driven by commentary from former players in the media. Unlike setups in Australia, England, or South Africa, where ex-internationals often serve as mentors, consultants, or constructive analysts, Pakistan cricket has frequently found itself in the crossfire of divisive post-match narratives and public blame games.
Shaheen, who captained Lahore Qalandars to their third PSL title last night, has faced the wrath of former cricketers on many occasions himself. His latest comments underscore the need for institutional and cultural support—not just within the dressing room, but across the broader ecosystem that surrounds the national team.
Instead of clapping back at his critics, Shaheen Afridi chose to let his play do the talking for him, ending up not only as the winning captain but also as the highest wicket-taker this year.
As Pakistan prepares for a crucial stretch of fixtures leading into major ICC events, Shaheen Afridi’s message is both a reflection of a young leader growing in maturity and a timely reminder of what strong cricketing systems are built on: collective backing, long-term vision, and fewer fingers pointed in public.
The path forward, Shaheen Afridi suggests, starts not with wholesale changes or endless debates, but with a simple shift in mindset: support, don’t sabotage.
yaya