Shahid Afridi unhappy with Babar Azam

Shahid Afridi, Pakistan’s legendary all-rounder, was upset with skipper Babar Azam following the first One-Day International (ODI) against the Netherlands on Tuesday. 

Afridi believed that Babar should have scored a century in the match after scoring 74 runs in the first ODI.

“I believe this was an excellent opportunity for Babar to convert his 50 into a hundred because I hold him in high regard. He got out playing a reckless shot that was completely unnecessary,” Afridi said while speaking on SAMAA TV’s Game Set Match.

“Babar also had Fakhar playing aggressively on the other end, so there was no need to play that hazardous shot,” he continued.

Afridi also dismissed critics who questioned Azam’s playing style.

“Babar should not rely on what others say about him. His outstanding performance speaks for itself,” he asserted.

It is to be noted that Pakistan won the opening match of the three-match ODI series against the Netherlands by a margin of 16 runs thanks to opener Fakhar Zaman’s sixth one-day international century.

Zaman struck a run-a-ball 109, while Azam hammered 74 off 74 balls before getting caught after mistiming a delivery from Dutch paceman Logan van Beek.

The second ODI will be played at the VOC cricket ground on Thursday, with the series finale set for Sunday at the same location.