‘Take Rohit Sharma as Example’: Hoping for a Change in Pakistan Cricket, Shahid Afridi Suggests How PCB Can Hit the Restart Button

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi (AFP Image)

The fans and the cricket fraternity of Pakistan is eagerly waiting to witness the ‘surgery’ to be performed on the senior men’s cricket team, assured by the Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi. The Babar Azam-led had a horrendous run in the recently concluded T20 World Cup where they failed to qualify for the Super 8s after losing to the minnows USA and arch-rivals India. The team’s debacle drew massive criticism from the experts and fans, prompting the PCB to take strict actions.

Former captain Shahid Afridi said he is curious to see what surgery would be performed on the team, hoping for a positive outcome. Speaking with Pakistan media, the former captain said cricket at the grassroots level in the country has to be improved and empowered.

“As the chairman has said about the surgery to be performed on the team, we all are waiting for that. And I think it should be a serious one, they should go deeper and see what the problem is. I am also waiting to see what these changes will be. A positive decision needs to be made, and the changes shouldn’t just be superficial. The real issue lies at the grassroots level of our cricket. Our product is weak at the grassroots level, and if we invest there, good players will emerge,” Afridi said.

Afridi further congratulated the Indian cricket team for getting crowned the T20 world champions, praising the body language of India skipper Rohit Sharma throughout the tournament.

“Look, the role of a leader is always very important. The body language of the leader becomes the body language of the team. The leader has to set an example. Take Rohit Sharma as an example.

“Look at his game and his style of playing; the lower-order batsmen who come in are all confident because the captain likes to play aggressive and attacking cricket. So, I always believe that the role of the captain is very important,” added Afridi.

The former all-rounder further suggested how the board should function if it wants Pakistan cricket to flourish and reach new milestones.

“There should be a proper board functioning. The Prime Minister should never be the Chief Executive. Also, the chairman should develop healthy relations with other boards and look to organise overseas tours. He should strictly shouldn’t interfere in the matters of the selection committee. The committee of selectors should be strong enough to stick to its decision and even choose a captain,” Afridi said.

“I’m always available for Pakistan cricket but at the grassroots level,” Afridi said on being asked about his aspirations to contribute as a coach

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