Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt criticized Shadab for his inability to read the pitch©AFP
Following Pakistan’s defeat to Afghanistan in the first T20I on Friday, Shadab Khan, who leads the team in the absence of Babar Azam, has come under scathing criticism from former players. With five key players — skipper Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf rested for the series — Pakistan handed T20I debuts to batters Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and fast bowlers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan. However, Pakistan was limited to 92/9 in 20 overs after opting to bat.
In reply, Mohammad Nabi led Afghanistan to a six-wicket victory, hitting an unbeaten 38 from as many throws on a spin-friendly course at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt criticized Shadab for his inability to read the field and wrong field placements.
“The pitch was conducive to slow bowling. Despite playing so much cricket, Shadab bowls his fast bowlers and fast himself. There was no slip for Najib Zadran when he came to bat. Afghan batsmen struggled against Ihsanullah, but Shadab had kept the fielders on the boundary. What’s your interpretation of the pitch you chose to hit on this pitch? That means you have no idea. You went with four fast bowlers on this pitch, you didn’t play in Perth,” Butt said on his YouTube channel.
After the defeat, Shadab confessed that his new players were nervous.
“Tactically we were fine. But sometimes this can happen because young people are nervous. They need to be given opportunities, they will get better,” he said.
It was Afghanistan’s first victory over Pakistan in international cricket.
This is the first bilateral series between the two countries with the remaining matches also in Sharjah on Sunday and Monday.
(with AFP inputs)
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