The aftermath of Pakistan's early elimination from the Champions Trophy has been quiet. All the focus for the country now is on the white ball tour (5 T20Is and 3 ODIs) of New Zealand between 16 March and 5 April. However, that has all come to a halt as there have been reports of Shaheen Shah Afridi ignoring team orders during their ill fated Champions Trophy campaign.
The Pakistan coaching staff has pointed fingers at star pacer, Shaheen Afridi for not adhering to team instructions during the crucial Champions Trophy 2025 match against India, reported local media.
Pakistan's campaign ended in disappointment after first-round exits, following defeats to New Zealand and India, with further criticism now emerging over player performances and decision-making.
In a recent PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) meeting, selectors and officials discussed the team's failures, with particular scrutiny on Afridi's bowling tactics. According to a report by Pakistan Cricket, one of the officials expressed frustration that Afridi chose to operate differently despite being instructed to bowl yorkers, which reportedly impacted Pakistan's chances. The criticism adds to the growing debate about the team's approach in the tournament, where inconsistent performances and strategic missteps were on full display.
The aftermath of Pakistan's exit has largely focused on coaching staff and selectors, with concerns that they will bear the brunt of the fallout while players remain unaffected.
Reports suggest that after the defeat to India, captain, Mohammad Rizwan, attempted to console the team, stating that while losing was part of the game, it would be the management - selectors and coaches - who would face consequences rather than the players. This remark did not sit well with higher authorities, leading to intense scrutiny over leadership decisions and team dynamics.
Shaheen Afridi, along with fellow pacer Haris Rauf, has been under fire despite their past One-Day International (ODI) successes. Both were instrumental in Pakistan's series wins in Australia and South Africa, with Haris taking 10 wickets in Australia and Shaheen finishing as the highest wicket-taker in South Africa. However, their performances in the Champions Trophy 2025 were deemed insufficient, leading to their exclusion from further ODI plans. Some experts argue that the duo could have been more effective in different conditions, particularly in New Zealand, rather than being hastily dismissed as unsuitable for the format.
Meanwhile, selection policies continue to face backlash, particularly regarding Babar Azam's omission from the squad. A former ICC T20 Team of the Year member, Babar was sidelined due to concerns over his strike rate, yet his replacement, Salman Ali Agha, has struggled, averaging just 10 runs across six T20Is with a poor strike rate of 79. As Pakistan cricket grapples with another disappointing tournament exit, questions remain over selection strategies, leadership choices and the future direction of the team.
According to Cricket Pakistan, a heated discussion took place in the PCB meeting regarding Mohammad Rizwan's comments* after Pakistan's six-wicket loss to India in their group match on 23 February at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
*"For now, we can say it’s over—that’s the truth. We have to see what Bangladesh does against New Zealand and how New Zealand performs against India, but it’s a long shot," Rizwan said in the post-match press conference.
"Our fate is no longer in our hands. As a captain, I don’t like relying on these things. If we can win, we should do it on our own terms, without depending on others. I don’t care about other results. We accept that India and New Zealand beat us, and we didn’t play well," Rizwan added.
During the meeting, an official raised concerns about Shaheen Afridi's attitude and approach on the field. Reports suggest that Afridi didn't follow the instructions given by the coaches during matches. He was specifically asked to bowl yorkers (a type of delivery aimed at the batsman’s feet to restrict runs) but he chose to stick to his own game plan instead.
It's because of this, that the selectors and PCB management felt that Shaheen was not performing effectively in One Day Internationals (ODIs). As a result, he was dropped from Pakistan's ODI squad but retained for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan's fast bowlers were seen as the team's biggest strength. However, their performance in the tournament was disappointing. Shaheen Afridi only managed to take two wickets in two matches, with an average of 71 runs per wicket.
The squads for three ODIs and five T20Is have been finalised. Many senior players have been rested or possibly dropped; from one format. For instance, Babar Azam is not included in the T20Is but will play in the ODIs.
It's hard to argue against the facts. Cricket is a team sport and there's obviously no 'I' in team. Afridi should've listened to the instructions. The outcome could've been different. Perhaps being dropped from the ODIs can be a good thing. He can go out and learn that he can't do whatever he wants. He needs to heed the advice of his captain and team-mates.
To quote Spock, "The needs of the many, outweigh the needs of the few or the one."