Shahid Afridi Fires Back at Shadab Khan and Tells Him to Prove Himself on the Field
Afridi publicly rebuked Shadab Khan for responding with words instead of match performances.
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi delivered a forceful rebuttal to all-rounder Shadab Khan following comments made by the latter about former players after Pakistan’s loss to India in the T20 World Cup 2026. Afridi criticized Shadab for responding with words rather than proving himself through performance on the field.
Speaking on Samaa TV, Afridi recalled the 2021 T20 World Cup when Shadab was part of the team that defeated India, noting that the squad failed to manage success or internal challenges afterward. He emphasized that respect and recognition must be backed by consistent performance, both individually and as a team.
Afridi also reminded Shadab of the support he received when he was underperforming and at risk of being dropped from the team. “We sat on TV channels defending him, saying he was the backbone of the team, his overs were very important, and he could also contribute with the bat,” Afridi said, praising Shadab’s character despite current disagreements.
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The former captain urged Shadab to focus on proving himself against stronger opponents, rather than highlighting past victories against smaller teams. He stressed that the real test lies in performing against top-tier teams, and verbal arguments cannot substitute for on-field contributions.
Afridi’s message combined both admonition and mentorship, urging the younger player to translate potential into results. “Son, give performances so that we also become silent. Perform, and once the World Cup is over, we ourselves will go quiet,” he said, highlighting the expectation for action over words in elite cricket.
Pakistan, despite some inconsistent displays, qualified for the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup 2026. Afridi’s comments underscore ongoing tensions between senior ex-players and current team members, reflecting the pressure on emerging talent to uphold the nation’s cricketing legacy while learning from past generations.
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