Shaheen Afridi Backs Young Talent Amid Pakistan’s T20 Transition

Pakistan’s pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has voiced strong confidence in the country’s emerging cricketers, urging fans and critics alike to back the next generation as the team transitions away from the long-dominant T20 opening pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Also Read: Pakistan MMA Chief Pushes to Make Mixed Martial Arts a Premier Sport

The shift comes under the new leadership of head coach Mike Hesson and T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, who have steered Pakistan toward a more aggressive brand of cricket. Both Babar and Rizwan have been sidelined for now, with Hesson publicly stating that the senior duo need to sharpen their T20 skills to force their way back into contention.

In their absence, Pakistan has turned to younger faces such as Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris, and promising middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz. All have featured prominently in Hesson’s early assignments and are set to take the field in the upcoming tri-nation series in Sharjah against Afghanistan and hosts UAE, beginning on August 29. The competition is seen as an important tune-up for the Asia Cup starting September 9.

“Everyone should get an opportunity. Babar and Rizwan are world-class players and have done great for Pakistan, and they will continue to do so,” Shaheen told reporters in Dubai. “But the youngsters we have are also our players. Instead of criticising them for being new, we should back them and help them progress.”

The Asia Cup will mark the first major test for Hesson and Salman, offering valuable insight just months before the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next February-March. Pakistan’s results under Hesson so far have been mixed—sweeping Bangladesh 3-0 at home, losing 2-1 in the return series away, and edging West Indies 2-1 in the United States.

A likely showdown with archrivals India adds further intrigue to the Asia Cup. At least one clash between the two sides is guaranteed, with the potential for more depending on results. With cross-border tensions still simmering, the encounters promise to be high-pressure affairs. Shaheen, however, struck a confident note.

“Obviously, it’s a high-pressure match, and plans will be made,” he said. “But this time, our preparation has been excellent. I don’t think Pakistan has ever prepared this early before. We have a great opportunity to use the conditions to our advantage and be ready for the big matches. But our first focus is the tri-nation series, then the Asia Cup.”

The left-arm quick also warned against underestimating Afghanistan and UAE, both of whom have shown progress in the shortest format. “In T20 cricket, no team is easy,” Shaheen said. “But our preparation is solid; we have a young team ready to play fearless cricket. I think we have an edge, and there’s nothing to worry about. Our preparation is for the big events.”