Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has strongly criticised the national selection committee after Pakistan’s disappointing performances in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 and the recent ODI series defeat against Bangladesh. 

 

In a video message shared on social media, Afridi questioned the selectors’ decision making, particularly regarding leadership choices and the direction of the national side.

 

“You saw the performances in the 2026 T20 World Cup, and after that we also lost the Bangladesh series 2–1. In my opinion, the selection committee deserves criticism. All of you in the committee have played so much cricket, yet you still don’t seem to have the idea of who should be the captain for which format,” Afridi said.

 

The former all rounder also criticised frequent changes in the squad and the decision to introduce inexperienced players at the international level.

 

“You keep making too many decisions in the name of ‘surgery’. What you are doing is picking youngsters and players who have barely played a few first class matches. Your domestic cricket is not even of that standard that it can consistently produce players ready to secure a place in the Pakistan team,” he added.

 

Afridi also raised concerns about the exclusion of experienced players from the ODI setup. He said several senior cricketers who had strong records in the 50 over format lost their places despite consistent performances.

 

“The senior players who actually deserved their place even if they didn’t have strong T20 performances had very good records in ODIs. But in the name of ‘surgery’, you sidelined those experienced players despite their solid ODI performances,” he stated.

 

He also questioned the overall strategy behind the selection process and warned that constant changes in the squad could damage the team’s stability.

 

“Instead, you brought in youngsters who have only played a few domestic and first class matches. The standard of domestic cricket is not high enough, and those players are not ready to come straight into the Pakistan team and cement their place. You keep handing out Pakistan caps again and again. This is not surgery. If anything, the selection committee should get real surgery,” Afridi concluded.

 

His remarks came after Pakistan lost the three match ODI series 2–1 to Bangladesh. The hosts secured the series with an 11 run win in the final match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

 

Bangladesh chose to bat first and scored 290 for 5 in 50 overs. Tanzid Hasan led the innings with his maiden ODI century, scoring 107 with six fours and seven sixes. Saif Hassan made 36 during the opening partnership, while Litton Das added 41 and Towhid Hridoy remained unbeaten on 48.

 

Pakistan struggled early in the chase after losing both openers in the first two overs. Salman Ali Agha kept the visitors in the contest with a fighting 106 from 98 balls, his third ODI century. 

 

Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 37, while debutants Saad Masood and Ghazi Ghori added 38 and 29 respectively. Abdul Samad also contributed 34, but Pakistan finished on 279 and fell 11 runs short of the target.