Babar and Rizwan will get more respect after this series loss: Shadab Khan
Pakan stand-in skipper Shadab Khan said senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will get more respect from the country’s cricket fraternity following their series loss against Afghanan.
“No matter whether Babar and Rizwan are performing or not, they have always been criticised about their strike rates,” Shadab told reporters after the second T20I.
“As a nation, we wanted to give opportunities to the youngsters who have done well in the PSL and score quick runs with healthy strike rates. I am not against experiments and I will back these youngsters but experience matters a lot.
pic.twitter.com/0Gz6y2Jobq
— ZHcrypto (@kricko89) March 26, 2023
“Hopefully, our seniors will get much-deserved respect from the country and the media after this series,” he said.
Afghanan showcased another impressive run-chase to beat new-look Pakan seven wickets in the second T20I with one ball remaining and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series on Sunday.
What a momentous occasion for Afghanan cricket! 🙌😍
AfghanAtalan have created hory securing their first-ever T20I series win over traditional rivals Pakan. It’s a triumph of grit, courage, and teamwork. pic.twitter.com/nQ7jjqmm14
— Afghanan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 26, 2023
It is the first time that Afghanan has won a series against a top-six-ranked ICC team.
Pakan chose to bat first but its inexperienced top-order again disappointed before recalled Imad Wasim smashed 64 not out off 57 balls and captain Shadab Khan made 32 to increase the final total to 130 for 6.
Incredible Scenes – Watch AfghanAtalan Celebrate this massive victory in some style pic.twitter.com/ewAoCl1Es6
— Afghanan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) March 26, 2023
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (44) and Ibrahim Zadran (38) led Afghanan’s chase before Najibullah Zadran scored a rapid unbeaten 23 and Mohammad Nabi was 14 not out to guide their team to 133 for 3 with a ball to spare.
With five key players — skipper Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf rested for the series — Pakan handed T20I debuts to handful of youngsters such as Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and fast bowlers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan.
“I think the young players were nervous; they are playing for the first time for Pakan,” said Shadab.
“We have to back them. Sometimes you don’t perform but attitude matters.
“That’s more important for me. They have talent. They will be great cricketers. We’ll play for pride tomorrow.”
