Pakistan Makes Bold Selection Move in Must-Win T20 World Cup Clash
In a high-stakes encounter that Pakistan had to win to keep their Super 8s hopes alive in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, the team management made a surprising decision by omitting star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from the playing XI. The crucial group match against Namibia took place at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Wednesday, with Pakistan winning the toss and opting to bat first.
Team Changes and Tournament Context
Captain Salman Ali Agha's side implemented two significant changes from the lineup that suffered a 61-run defeat to India just days earlier. Shaheen Afridi and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed were both left out of the squad, making way for Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay to join the starting eleven. This match represented Pakistan's final opportunity in the league stage to secure qualification for the Super 8s phase of the tournament.
The pressure on the Pakistani team has been mounting considerably following their loss to India, which added to previous disappointments in the Asia Cup and recent editions of the T20 World Cup. The team entered this decisive match knowing that anything less than a victory would result in elimination from the competition.
Performance Concerns and Player Criticism
Senior players including Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have faced substantial criticism for their recent performances. Shaheen has particularly struggled with control and consistency throughout the tournament, while Babar has continued to encounter difficulties against spin bowling. The decision to drop Shaheen came after he bowled just two overs against India, conceding 31 runs while managing to take the wicket of Axar Patel with the final delivery of the innings.
Across three matches in the current tournament, the 25-year-old fast bowler has delivered nine overs, given away 101 runs, and taken three wickets at an economy rate of 11.22. Observers have noted that Shaheen appears to have lost some of his trademark pace, with his deliveries now mostly clocking around 85 mph rather than the higher speeds he previously maintained.
Opposition Perspective and Additional Changes
Namibia, already eliminated from contention for the Super 8s, aimed to conclude their campaign on a positive note. Their tournament has been characterized by inconsistent bowling performances, including a noticeable dip in form from key bowler Ruben Trumpelmann, along with modest batting returns from captain Gerhard Erasmus. Namibia also made two changes to their lineup, bringing in Alexander Busing-Volschenk to replace Dylan Leicher and Jack Brassell taking the place of Max Heingo.
The match represented a critical juncture for Pakistan's T20 World Cup journey, with the team needing to demonstrate resilience and improved performance to overcome recent setbacks and secure their place in the next stage of the competition.
