Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has advised national all-rounder Shadab Khan to respond to criticism with his performance rather than giving statements about former cricketers.
This advice came after Shadab Khan, while reacting to criticism following the defeat against India, taunted former players by saying, “They did not do what we have done; we have beaten India in the World Cup.”
Speaking on a program of a local news channel, Shahid Afridi said that Shadab is justified in defending the achievements of his fellow players; however, after the historic victory against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, the team failed to handle respect and pressure.
Shahid Afridi said that Shadab Khan is absolutely right. “We could not defeat India in the World Cup; they did. They earned respect, but they could not handle that respect.”
The former captain said that not being able to handle respect means that after 2021, the team could not properly manage internal issues, individual pressure, and collective team matters.
Shahid Afridi also reminded Shadab that when he was out of the team due to poor form, many former cricketers openly supported him and highlighted his all-round abilities.
Afridi said, “When Shadab was not performing and was being dropped from the team, we would sit on TV and say that Shadab is the backbone of the team, his overs are very important, and he can bat as well; we were the ones speaking in Shadab’s favor.”
Although Afridi praised Shadab’s good manners, he once again advised that the best response to criticism is performance on the field.
Referring to his own career, he said that he too faced severe criticism, even abuses, in his professional life, but he tolerated it and delivered performances against big teams.
Afridi said that Shadab secured a place in the national team without playing domestic cricket; despite that, former players are still supporting him today.
In the end, Afridi said, “Perform, then God willing give your response, so that we also become silent, and when the World Cup ends, we will truly become silent.”
It is worth mentioning that after securing a 102-run victory against Namibia in Colombo, all-rounder Shadab Khan said in a press conference that former cricketers have their own opinions; they were legends, but even they could not achieve in the World Cup what we have achieved, we have defeated India in the World Cup.”
Also read: Why does Shahid Afridi support Umar Akmal, Ahmed Shehzad?
