Shahid Afridi criticises Pakistan's selection policy
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|| CF DESK ||
Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has criticized Pakistan’s selection policy and said playing for the national team has become way too easy and the players should only be picked after spending at least a couple of seasons in domestic cricket.
He was particularly critical of the way players were changed and given debuts in the Pakistan white balls squads.
“It has become so easy to play for the national team whereas in the past playing for the Pakistan team was the ultimate for any professional cricketer. That is why our performances are not consistent with the amount of cricket we play in Pakistan,” Afridi said.
The popular all-rounder felt that each player must be given at least two or three years of exposure in the domestic circuit before he is considered for the national squad.
“Why have we made it so really easy for players to represent their country. I am sad to see that a player gives one or two good performances in domestic cricket or the PSL and he is in the national team. What is this? You should make your cricketers play domestic cricket,” Afridi said.
“The real difference playing international cricket is how strong a player is mentally to handle all the pressures that come in international matches and that includes the criticism and glare of the media and fans. We must now judge the difference between just talent and mental strength of a player,” Afridi added.
The former Pakistan captain also stated that self-belief was an integral aspect of a successful cricketer.
“A player needs to know which number he is capable of playing at. What happens with us is that players take a chance at the top of the order and when they don’t perform there, they get themselves demoted in the batting order. This means they have a negative or defensive approach. Most of the world-class batsmen play at number three. Self-belief is the most important thing. If you have that then you should play at any number you want. Your attitude and body language show everything,” he concluded.
