Rashid Latif calls for Shaheen Afridi to be dropped from team

Former captain urges PCB to take fresh approach by looking for new fast bowlers and holding senior players accountable

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Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called for a major overhaul of Pakistan's fast bowling attack, criticising the underperformance of senior pacers following the team’s defeat to New Zealand in the tri-nation series opener.

Speaking to a private news channel, Latif questioned the form of Pakistan's senior bowlers, specifically Shaheen Shah Afridi. "When was the last time Afridi delivered a match-winning performance?" Latif asked, adding that the time had come to make changes in the squad.

He also expressed concerns about Naseem Shah, stating that despite his long tenure with the team, he has not contributed significantly to Pakistan’s success.

The former cricketer pointed out the discrepancy in how players are treated, highlighting how the likes of Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha are frequently criticised, while senior players like Afridi, Babar Azam, and Muhammad Rizwan often escape scrutiny. "No one is talking about these players' lacklustre performances," Latif said.

Latif emphasised that the team's overall success hinges on the performance of its senior players. "Saud Shakeel and Tayyab Tahir will perform when the main players step up," he added.

The former captain also mentioned the impact of Haris Rauf's injury on the team’s performance, suggesting that the outcome could have been different had he been fit.

Latif urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take a fresh approach by looking for new fast bowlers and holding senior players accountable for their underwhelming performances.

On Saturday, Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat to New Zealand by 78 runs in the tri-nation series opener at Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan’s chase of a 331-run target fell short, with the team collapsing for 252 runs in 47.5 overs.

Fakhar Zaman top-scored with 84 runs, but a disappointing performance from key batters Azam (10 runs) and Rizwan (3 runs) left Pakistan with little chance of victory.

Vice-captain Agha fought back with a 40-run knock off 51 balls, but the match slipped away with no further resistance from the lower order.