Former Pakistan opener demands T20I team overhaul following ’embarrassing’ whitewash against Australia

Ahmad Shahzad calls for a revamp of Pakistan’s T20I team, criticizing underperforming senior players after their embarrassing 0-3 whitewash by Australia.

New Delhi: Out-of-favor opener Ahmad Shahzad has criticized the Pakistan national team following their 0-3 whitewash in a T20I series against a second-string Australian side. The final match of the series, held in Hobart on Monday (November 18), saw Pakistan suffer a seven-wicket defeat.

Pakistan managed only 117 runs in their innings, with Babar Azam contributing a solid 41 off 28 balls. Australia made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 11.2 overs, powered by Marcus Stoinis’ explosive 61 off 27 deliveries. The series highlighted the stark contrast in skill and strategy, as Pakistan was thoroughly outclassed in all three T20Is.

In a scathing remark, Ahmad Shahzad criticized Pakistan’s T20I setup, stating that the batters lack the power to consistently clear the boundary. He further called the senior players a “baggage” for the team, questioning their impact in the shortest format.

This team needs a revamp, Senior players who are baggage on the team must be replaced 🚨, Getting whitewashed by this Australian side is shameful, horrible, & embarrassing to say the least. Australia chased Pakistan’s total in just 11. 2 overs. This is what modern-day cricket is.…

— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) November 18, 2024

“This team needs a revamp, Senior players who are baggage on the team must be replaced, Getting whitewashed by this Australian side is shameful, horrible, & embarrassing to say the least. Australia chased Pakistan’s total in just 11. 2 overs. This is what modern-day cricket is. Our players lack power. There is no answer for such a horrible performance,” Shahzad wrote on X.

Pakistan’s struggles in the T20I series came just days after the euphoria of clinching their first ODI series victory in Australia in 22 years. While they showcased competitiveness and dominance in the 50-over format, their vulnerabilities were glaringly exposed in the shortest version of the game.

Senior player Babar Azam had a disappointing series, managing only 47 runs across the three matches. Captain Mohammad Rizwan, who was rested for the third T20I, fared even worse, scoring just 16 runs in the two games he played.

On the bowling front, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah struggled to make an impact, picking up just one wicket each in the series. Shaheen played all three matches, conceding 107 runs in his 9 overs, while Naseem, rested for the third game, leaked 81 runs in just 6 overs across the first two matches.

Pakistan’s next assignment will see them face Zimbabwe in a series consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is, scheduled from November 24 to December 5. The T20I squad will feature a fresh lineup, with both Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam being rested for the series.

However, Shahzad urged Pakistan to make a bold decision by moving beyond underperforming senior players in the T20I squad. He suggested selecting a younger, more dynamic team for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa, set to begin on December 10.

“For the upcoming South African series let’s see if Pakistan will go with the same failed players or will selectors choose younger talent from the domestic circuit, and drop senior players. Changes must be made to both the batting and bowling department,” he added.

Pakistan has endured a challenging year in T20Is, winning only seven of their 22 matches and suffering 13 losses. Under Babar Azam’s captaincy, they were also eliminated from the T20 World Cup before reaching the knockout stages.