Shahid Afridi Calls for Resting Shaheen and Shadab in 5th T20I
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- March 25, 2025
- 11:04 am
- 37
- Sports
Shahid Afridi believes Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan should be rested for the final T20I against New Zealand. After Pakistan’s crushing 115-run defeat in the fourth T20I, the former captain urged team management to give bench players a chance in the last match of the series.
New Zealand Dominates as Pakistan Struggles
New Zealand secured a 3-1 series victory with a commanding performance in the fourth T20I. Batting first, the hosts posted an imposing 221-run total, thanks to Finn Allen’s explosive half-century. Jacob Duffy then ripped through Pakistan’s batting lineup, taking four wickets, as the visitors collapsed for just 105 runs.
Pakistan showed some fight in the third T20I when Hasan Nawaz smashed a record-breaking century to chase down 205 runs. However, their overall performance in the series remained inconsistent. Afridi believes that, with the series already lost, this is the right time to test younger players in the final game.
Shahid Afridi Urges Management to Give New Players a Chance
Afridi took to social media to voice his thoughts ahead of the fifth T20I. He emphasized the need to rest senior players and allow new talent to step up.
“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 and Shaheen have struggled throughout the series. Shadab, returning to the squad after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, failed to make an impact. He scored just 30 runs in three innings at an average of 10 and took only one wicket in four matches.
Shaheen also had a difficult time. The left-arm pacer managed just two wickets in four matches, with an economy rate of 10.23 and a poor bowling average of 66.50.
Pakistan’s Biggest Defeat in T20I History
Pakistan’s 115-run loss in the fourth T20I marks their heaviest defeat in T20 international history. Their previous worst defeat came in 2016, when they lost by 95 runs—ironically, also against New Zealand in Wellington.
New Zealand’s dominant win now stands as their second-largest victory margin in T20Is. Their biggest win remains the 118-run triumph over the West Indies in 2018, which also took place at Bay Oval.
The two teams will now face off in the final T20I on March 26 in Wellington. After that, they will travel to Napier for the first ODI on March 29, followed by matches in Hamilton and Mount Maunganui on April 2 and April 5, respectively.
