Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi said that the team needs to make some changes as they play to stay alive in the T20 World Cup 2024. He also added that Babar Azam should drop down to No.3 and Fakhar Zaman should open the innings as well. However, Pakistan are on the verge of knocking out after losing two consecutive matches in the mega event. They need to beat Canada and Ireland comprehensively and hope the USA lose their remaining two matches of the tournament as well.

Speaking to ICC, Afridi said, “I think now is the time for Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to make some changes. I would like to see Salman Ali Agha come into the side in place of Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed to come in for Shadab Khan. Most of all, I believe Fakhar Zaman should be promoted to open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar dropping down to number three. There are some tough conversations and choices to come but we need to remember that there is still hope: Pakistan are not out of the tournament yet.”

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However, Pakistan had a good chance to win the game against India where they had to chase only 120 and they had the upperhand too but failed to chase the game and lost by six runs. Shahid Afridi further added that India had the right attitude, self-belief, and consistency – all of which Pakistan lacked as well.

“The key difference between the two teams was India’s consistency, self-belief, discipline and attitude on the field. The Pakistan batting line-up simply isn’t clicking and what we saw was a weak display of power hitting. For several reasons, this game wasn’t about playing aggressively. But strategy and smart cricket were required to get the run chase over the line, and those qualities are exactly what Pakistan lacked. On the big days, you have to have nerves of steel until you make it through,” Shahid Afridi concluded.