Pakistani cricket fans will have to accept the fact that their captain Shahid Afridi has been out of form for quite some time now and that is a cause of major concern for the team ahead of the ICC World T20 2016.
Afridi faced further criticism after Pakistan suffered a five-wicket defeat against India in their first match of the Asia Cup T20 2016. Pakistan were bundled for a meagre total of 83 runs. In that innings, Afridi got himself run out in a silly way.
The legendary Pakistan batsman has come hard on the Afridi ahead of their remaining two matches in the Asia Cup.
"How can you have a player who no one knows how he will perform. Afridi's place in the team was over few years back," Miandad was quoted as saying by Sportskeeda.
"How can you expect to win or improve your cricket when a player who stopped being a reliable performer some years ago is still playing in the national team. He is captain."
However, Pakistan still have two more matches to play: one against Bangladesh and the other against Sri Lanka. Thus, they also have a chance to qualify for the big final of the Asia Cup, which will be played at Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, March 6. If Afridi can help his side reach the finals, then he might be able to answer the critics.
Miandad also criticised the domestic cricket in Pakistan. He has requested Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to get rid of corruptions in the system and sack non-performing players to bring about a change in the approach and look of the national cricket team.
"You still have parchi (slip) system in domestic cricket even at district level. It only looks good on surface but in reality it is not producing quality players," Miandad added.
"Don't they know what is happening? Don't they see what is happening to our cricket. I say sack this selection committee and players who don't perform. Nowadays we have a trend where players play because of the media."
