In a video statement posted on his social media account, the former Pakistan captain questioned the selectors’ decisions and leadership, particularly after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and their 2–1 ODI series defeat to Bangladesh national cricket team.
“You saw the performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and after that, we also lost the Bangladesh series 2–1. In my opinion, the selection committee deserves criticism. All of you in the committee have played so much cricket, yet you still don’t seem to have the idea of who should be the captain for which format,” Afridi said.
The 49-year-old also took issue with what he described as excessive experimentation in the squad under the pretext of rebuilding the team.
“You keep making too many decisions in the name of ‘surgery’. What you are doing is picking youngsters and players who have barely played a few first class matches. Your domestic cricket is not even of that standard that it can consistently produce players ready to secure a place in the Pakistan team,” he added.
Afridi further raised concerns about the handling of experienced players, suggesting that several proven performers in ODI cricket had been sidelined despite strong records.
“The senior players who actually deserved their place even if they didn’t have strong T20 performances had very good records in ODIs. But in the name of ‘surgery’, you sidelined those experienced players despite their solid ODI performances,” he stated.
According to Afridi, the current selection policy lacks direction and could destabilise the team going forward.
“Instead, you brought in youngsters who have only played a few domestic and first class matches. The standard of domestic cricket is not high enough, and those players are not ready to come straight into the Pakistan team and cement their place. You keep handing out Pakistan caps again and again, this is not surgery. If anything, the real surgery should be done on the selection committee,” he concluded.
