Why Pakistan must drop Shaheen Afridi from T20 WC XI [Source: X]Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan’s ‘premium’ fast bowler, was expected to deliver the goods for his team in the ongoing T20 World Cup, but three matches later, he has struggled to impose himself as the opponent has found it easy to take him down at crucial junctures.The Pakistan team management has shown immense trust in Shaheen as he has played in all three matches and has been their lone spinner in the lineup. However, it seems Shaheen’s time is up in the team as the player has struggled for fitness, and wickets have dried up.Hence, here are 3 major reasons why Pakistan must take a bold call and drop Shaheen Afridi from their playing XI for the rest of the T20 World Cup campaign.1) Wickets have hard to come byIn the ongoing T20 World Cup, Pakistan has trusted Shaheen to lead their bowling attack, but three matches later, he has not done anything for his side, as the pacer has witnessed a drop in his pace, and has also struggled to contain runs.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table3SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableWicketsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table3SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableEconomySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table11.22SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Shaheen Afridi in T20 WC 2026)In three matches, Pakistan’s main bowler has only taken 3 wickets, but most importantly, he has conceded runs at 11.22 runs per over, thus, showcasing his vulnerability to deliver in big tournaments.Opponent batters have found it easy against him as Shaheen offers pace to them, and the batters enjoy such deliveries. This was the case against India, as he only bowled two overs. but helped India score 31 runs off his spell.With the Pakistan spinners doing well, he is their weak link in the attack, and perhaps the team must take a bold call to replace him for the next clash.2) Shaheen, not so good in big momentsWhat makes a bowler great in any format? It is his ability to deliver in crunch situations. This is what Shaheen lacks as the pacer often crumbles when the nation needs him the most.Last year, Pakistan’s biggest T20 tournament was the Asia Cup, where Shaheen had the chance to shine in front of the Indian batters. Instead, the Indian batters gave him a reality check, as he conceded 23 in 2 overs vs India in the group stage, followed by 40 in 3. 5 overs in the Super 8.In the finals, he was decent, giving away only 20 runs, but he never had the wicket-taking ability to hurt India. Pakistan are carrying a bowler who lacks the ability to steer Pakistan home in big matches.3) Salman Mirza waiting in the wingsSalman Mirza, a better and a like-for-like replacement is waiting in the dugout, and the pacer should be brought in to replace Shaheen.In his relatively short T20I career, the left-arm pacer has done extraordinary well for Pakistan, and the stats reveal the story.CriterionSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableDataSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableMatchesSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table14SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableWicketsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table22SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableEconomySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table6.36SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table(Salman Mirza in T20Is)22 wickets in just 14 matches, with an economy rate of 6.36, define Salman Mirza’s T20I journey so far. He is deceptive with his pace and is a better T20I bowler at this stage as compared to Shaheen Afridi.With a bowler of his quality waiting in the Pakistan dugout, the time has come for the Men in Green to replace Shaheen with a star bowler in the T20I format.Final verdictShaheen has had his moments in the T20I format, but his time is up, and the T20 World Cup clash against India should be the final nail in the coffin. He has lost his wicket-taking ability, and a better bowler is waiting in the wings as the team must make a harsh call and drop the left-arm seamer permanently.
