Shaheen, Shadab be rested: Afridi

Ex-skipper calls for trying out bench players in final T20I

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has suggested that senior players Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi should be rested for the upcoming fifth T20I against New Zealand, which is set to take place on Wednesday in Wellington.

New Zealand secured an unassailable 3-1 lead in the ongoing five-match series with a dominant 115-run victory in the fourth T20I. Opening batter Finn Allen played a pivotal role in the win, smashing a blistering 50-run knock, while Jacob Duffy claimed four wickets to help seal the victory for the hosts.

With the series already out of Pakistan's reach, Afridi believes it would be an ideal opportunity to give the bench players a chance to showcase their skills. He recommended that Shadab and Shaheen be rested for the final match to allow replacements to step in and gain valuable experience.

"For the final game, the players on the bench should be given a chance - with the series lost, Shadab and Shaheen can be rested and replacements given an opportunity," Afridi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Shadab, who made his return to the national team after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, has struggled to make an impact. He has scored only 30 runs in three innings, with a below-average of just 10. In the bowling department, the all-rounder has taken only one wicket in four matches.

Shaheen's performance has also been disappointing. The left-arm pacer has claimed just two wickets in as many matches, with a poor average of 66.50 and an economy rate of 10.23.

Pakistan gets unwanted record

Pakistan endured their heaviest defeat in T20I history, losing to New Zealand by a massive 115 runs in the fourth T20I at Bay Oval on Sunday.

Chasing a challenging total of 221, Pakistan's batting lineup crumbled under pressure, ultimately being bowled out for just 105 runs. This crushing defeat marks Pakistan's biggest loss in terms of runs in T20 internationals, surpassing their previous record of a 95-run defeat in 2016.

Ironically, their previous record for the largest defeat also came against New Zealand, this time in Wellington. Additionally, this win by New Zealand is their second-largest winning margin in T20Is, falling just short of their previous record of a 118-run victory over the West Indies in 2018, also at Bay Oval.

Basit Ali tears into Pakistan after fourth T20I defeat

Former cricketer Basit Ali has strongly criticised Pakistan after their crushing 115-run defeat against New Zealand in the fourth T20I at Mount Maunganui.

Basit Ali did not hold back in his criticism after the loss. He questioned Pakistan's team selection and suggested they should play against weaker opponents if they continue with the same squad.

"Kids are not playing against us. If you want to keep this team, do it against Nepal or Ireland. You are wasting time. Just like the domestic T20 tournament is a waste of time and money, this tour is just like that. It is better to play against Bangladesh," Basit said.

Ali, who represented Pakistan in 19 Tests and 30 ODIs from 1993 to 1996, compared the ongoing National T20 Cup to the New Zealand tour, calling both a waste of time.

Pakistan's batters found it difficult to handle New Zealand's bowling attack, as Foulkes and Duffy used their height to generate bounce and swing.