Shahid Afridi: A Grandfather and a Cricket Critic
Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi is celebrating a personal milestone while simultaneously voicing concerns over his country’s performance in Test cricket.
Afridi’s family recently welcomed a new member with the birth of his grandson, Aliyaar Afridi, son of Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi and Ansha Afridi. The news was met with widespread congratulations, and images and videos of Afridi with his grandson quickly circulated online.
Despite the joyous occasion, Afridi remains engaged with the state of Pakistan cricket. Following Pakistan’s heavy defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test match in Rawalpindi, Afridi publicly criticized the team’s strategy.
Afridi questioned the choice to prepare a pitch that didn’t favor Pakistan’s strengths, specifically expressing concern over the inclusion of four fast bowlers while omitting a specialist spinner.
“A 10-wicket defeat raises serious questions about the decision to prepare this type of pitch, select four fast bowlers and leave out a specialist spinner. This to me clearly shows a lack of awareness about home conditions. That said, you cannot take the credit away from Bangladesh for the brand of cricket they played throughout the Test,” Afridi wrote on X.
Afridi’s comments sparked debate on social media, with some fans agreeing with his assessment and others defending the team’s selection.
Despite the criticism, Afridi remains a prominent figure in Pakistan cricket. He is known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to inspire his teammates. He is also a vocal advocate for the development of young cricketers in Pakistan.
As Afridi celebrates a new generation within his family, he continues to actively engage with the sport, unafraid to voice his opinions and spark debate on strategic decisions made by the national team.
