Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief and former cricket captain Imran Khan on Tuesday lashed out at Shahid Afridi over unsatisfactory performance as captain in World Twenty and Asia Cup.
A talent hunt trial for fast bowlers was organized at Islamabad’s Diamond Cricket Ground in which as many as 35 bowlers participated.
Talking to newsmen on the occasion, Imran Khan said Afridi’s performance as T20 captain was disappointing and that he didn’t act on the instructions given before Pakistan and India tie.
Lauding Test captain’s stunning leadership, Khan said that if Misbah was T20 captain, the situation could have been better.
“Changing the coach and manager instead of reframing the cricket structure would never give fruitful results”, he added.
Earlier, Shahid Afridi stepped down as captain in the game’s shortest format following Pakistan’s early exit from the World Twenty20 tournament.
“I never thought I’d be on this level and play cricket for Pakistan team,” he added.
Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam had also blamed Shahid Afridi’s “clueless captaincy” for the country’s group-stage exit from world cricket events.
He criticised Afridi’s on-field tactics and off-field leadership, the lack of skills in all departments of the squad and how they became involved in “needless controversies” during the World T20.
Further, in a report submitted to the PCB, coach Waqar Younis made critical comments relating to Afridi’s captaincy and the troublesome attitude of batsman Umar Akmal.
Waqar made it clear that Shahid Afridi was not performing with the bat, ball or as a captain but was not listened to.
Waqar added: “We lost to New Zealand, Asia Cup and the World Twenty20, due to poor captaincy.”
Pakistan were knocked out of the World T20 2016 after failing to qualify for the semi-finals as they lost three out of their four group matches.
They only managed to win two matches in the Asia Cup 2016.