Shadab Khan Misses Babar and Rizwan After Pakistan's Shambolic Loss to Afghanistan
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan [Source: Twitter]
On Sunday, Pakistan were handed their second loss by Afghanistan, who gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series. In a final-over thriller, Mohammad Nabi (14*) led his side to a seven-wicket win to ensure they won their first-ever series over Pakistan in any format.
Following Pakistan's defeat, stand-in captain Shadab Khan asserted the importance of senior players in the side.
Pakistan rested pros like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Fakhar Zaman and handed the younger talents who shone in the Pakistan Super League 2023 an opportunity.
According to Cricket Pakistan, Khan, in particular, spoke about Azam and Rizwan in a press conference. The duo has often been criticised for stat-padding and scoring at a. low strike rate in T20Is.
Here's what Khan said
"People criticise Babar and Rizwan regardless of whether they perform or not. There is always a sword hanging over them of strike rate. But finally, our nation will realize that experience matters and our seniors didn’t get the respect they deserved considering their performances. So after this series, they will get a lot more respect from media and the nation."
Pakistan will look to avoid a series whitewash when both sides clash in the third and final T20I today.
 "Vishal Mehra")