Couldn’t perform as per nation’s demands: Afridi after early exit from WC exit

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 17, 2024 00:22 IST

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi expressed disappointment after his team’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 following their last game against Ireland on Sunday, June 16. Notably, the Babar Azam-led side managed to win the final fixture of their campaign thrillingly by three wickets and ended the tournament on a positive note.

Afridi made valuable contributions with both and ball picking 3/22 in four overs and later scored a valuable 13* (5) down the order to take his team over the line. As a result, the 24-year-old was adjudged Player of the Match and reflected on the team’s dismal performance in the tournament. Speaking at the post-match interview, Afridi admitted that their team didn’t play as per the demands of the nation and need to improve quickly with the Champions Trophy 2025 coming soon.

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“We didn't play good cricket which our country demands. There are few areas we need to improve quickly, Champions Trophy is coming. We have to improve and we'll have to grow as a team. Crowd - they always come and support us, thank you everyone for the support. It's tough times but they always come and support us, that's what we need as a team. That's my job, I come late (to bat) in the innings, I just hit. The team needed it. Always trying to hit sixes,” said Afridi in the post-match interview.

Pakistan's disappointing T20 WC campaign

Pakistan got off to a disastrous start in their campaign losing their opening fixture against the co-hosts USA. The Babar Azam-led side lost the match in the super over after both teams got tied on 159 in their allotted 20 overs. Pakistan’s poor fielding allowed the USA to score 18 runs in the super over and later Saurabh Netravalkar defended the score successfully to register a historic win for his team.

The last edition’s runner-ups further lost against the arch-rivals India as they failed to chase down a low target of 120 and lost the match by six runs. Pakistan managed to win their last two matches against Canada and Ireland but were already knocked out of the tournament after the USA’s clash against Ireland got washed out. Following their dismal performance, there has been widespread clamour in Pakistan’s cricketing fraternity and tough decisions are expected to be taken in the coming days.