Former cricket captain Shahid Afridi has advised Pakistan’s current captain Mohammad Rizwan to refrain from making excuses following recent team setbacks.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Afridi stated that when Rizwan was appointed as captain, he should not have made excuses. He pointed out that after defeating South Africa, Rizwan did not claim to have no control over the team, so similar statements should not be made now. Afridi emphasized that such comments should not be aired in the media.
This advice comes after Rizwan expressed frustration over his lack of authority following Pakistan’s recent failures. Afridi’s comments are seen as a response to Rizwan’s complaints about his limited influence as captain.
On a separate issue, Afridi also commented on the Pakistan Super League (PSL), stating that the franchises which initially invested in the league should have continued to be part of it. He mentioned that while some franchise owners are citing financial losses, others have benefited from the league’s growth.
Responding to a question about his involvement with the Pakistan cricket team, Afridi clarified that he was not interested in working with the national team at the moment. He stated that if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wanted his services, they should focus on grassroots-level development.
Afridi also expressed his view on domestic cricket, suggesting that players should not be allowed to participate in foreign leagues during the domestic season. Addressing another query, Afridi remarked that Shoaib Malik continues to play because he is fit, while he himself is no longer able to play at the professional level.
