Mon Nov 18 13:13:58 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Cricket Crisis: Shahzad Slams Team After Australia Whitewash
**Hobart, Australia –** Former Pakistan opener Ahmad Shahzad has launched a scathing attack on the national team following their humiliating 0-3 T20I series whitewash against a second-string Australian side. The criticism comes after Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 117 runs in the final match, with Australia chasing down the target in just 11.2 overs.
Shahzad, in a strongly worded statement on X, accused Pakistan’s senior players of being “baggage” and lacking the power hitting necessary for modern T20 cricket. He pointed to the team’s dismal performance throughout the series, highlighting the poor batting displays of Babar Azam (47 runs total) and Mohammad Rizwan (16 runs total). He also criticized the bowling performance of Shaheen Afridi (107 runs conceded) and Naseem Shah (81 runs conceded).
“Getting whitewashed by this Australian side is shameful, horrible, & embarrassing,” Shahzad wrote. “Our players lack power. There is no answer for such a horrible performance.”
He called for a complete overhaul of the T20I squad, urging selectors to replace underperforming senior players with younger talent from the domestic circuit. Shahzad’s comments come after a year of struggles for Pakistan in T20Is, with a record of 7 wins and 13 losses in 22 matches, including a disappointing early exit from the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s upcoming series against Zimbabwe and South Africa will be crucial tests of the selectors’ willingness to implement change. Whether the team opts for a fresh start with younger players or continues with the current lineup remains to be seen. The pressure is on to address the clear deficiencies exposed in the recent Australia series.
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