Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed concern over Pakistan’s performance in Test cricket. In a recent interview, he highlighted several reasons behind the current state of affairs.
Speaking to a local sports media outlet, Afridi said that young players are being rushed into the national team, especially based on performances in short-format tournaments like the PSL. Afridi stated, “The biggest mistake being made right now is selecting players for the national team too quickly. Sometimes, a player is picked just because of one or two good innings in the PSL.”
He further emphasized, “Playing for Pakistan should not be so easy. First, players must prove themselves in domestic and first-class cricket.”
Afridi stressed that talented players should rise through the proper process, including a step of playing for Pakistan A (Shaheens). In his words, “The path to the national team should be tough so that players understand the value of representing Pakistan.”
He added, “If we want to improve in all three formats, we must first improve the standard of domestic cricket. We need to bring in good coaches and mentors at the grassroots level and build a strong foundation.”
Compared to top cricketing nations, Pakistan plays fewer Test matches. The limitation to two- or three-match series affects players’ experience and consistency, according to Afridi.
