Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi advised Shadab Khan to respond to criticism with strong performances rather than statements, after the all-rounder took a jibe at former cricketers by saying, “they didn’t do what we’ve done.”
Speaking on a local news channel program, Shahid Afridi said Shadab was justified in defending his group of players achievements. However, he stressed that the team struggled to handle the respect and pressure that followed their historic win over India in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.
“Shadab is absolutely right. We didn’t win against India, they won. They got respect, but they couldn’t handle the respect,” Afridi said.
He explained that failing to handle respect meant the players could not manage internal issues after 2021, individually or as a team.
Afridi also reminded Shadab that he was among the former cricketers who publicly supported him during his poor form and periods out of the team, highlighting his value as an all-rounder.
“Look, Shadab should also know that when he wasn’t able to perform well, when he was being excluded from the team, we used to sit on the TV channel and say that ‘Shadab is the backbone, Shadab’s overs are very important, he can bat as well.’ It was us who used to talk about Shadab,” Shahid Afridi said.
Although Afridi praised Shadab’s respectful behavior, he advised him to let his performances speak. “And honestly, let me tell you, Shadab is a very good boy. He meets everyone with respect. Not only me, he meets everyone,” Afridi continued.
Shahid Afridi recalled that during his own career, he faced heavy criticism and even abuse from former players, but he chose to respond through performances, particularly against strong teams.
“When we used to play cricket, ex-cricketers even cursed us. But we tolerated them and we performed. Not against a small team, we used to perform against big teams,” he said.
Addressing Shadab directly, Afridi encouraged him to deliver strong performances, including against New Zealand.
“Shadab, you also performed well against Namibia. God willing, you will also perform against New Zealand. Son, give performances. In difficult times, we used to stand with you, we used to back you, we used to pick you up,” he said.
Afridi also pointed out that Shadab entered the national team without playing domestic cricket but still received support from former players. He concluded by urging Shadab to focus on his game and silence critics through performance.
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Afridi. Dont engage team or players in speaking on non issues just to be relevent in media. We all know how capable u were. No performnce of signifance by u. Thanks God no merit system in pakistan.
Afridi is right bro.
They need to perform instead of commenting their achievements and blaming their seniors seems to admire themselves that they done something exceptional, 2021 win was just a fluke time proves everything.
Seems like You have any personal issues with him so keep those issue away from the game.
Bang on target 👌
Brother Shahid Afridi is and will remain a superstar in the cricket history.. His achievements in the t20 format are recognized not in Pakistan but all over the world.. He still has the fastest century I’m odi cricket. Though his odi record are not satisfactory. He literally changed the way T20 cricket is played.. He is one of the pioneers, the legends of the shortest format. He is still the best all rounders ever produced by Pakistan in T20.. and you are comparing him with this parchi. Shame on you and all Pakistanis who forget their superstars and can’t even accept anything against their current fake legends, shadab, Babar, fakhar, Shaheen and Naseem.. These five players are the reason for our downfall.
existing, retired, future…… all “stars” are bullying each other. hell with Pakistan cricketers. they need mental grooinh before they are brought to lime light. lack of mental and attitude grooming makes them mentally sick when they reach first step of fame