T20 World Cup 2022: Still not a hundred percent fit – Salman Butt on Shaheen Afridi’s performance against India

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt reckons Shaheen Shah Afridi was still not a hundred percent fit after Babar Azam-led team lost the opening match of the T20 World Cup against India by four wickets. Afridi, who had obliterated India’s top order in the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, was not at his best on Sunday at the MCG.

The lanky fast bowler went wicketless and conceded 34 runs in his quota of four overs. Meanwhile, Afridi is making a return after recovering from a knee injury but Butt feels he is yet to fully recover as he was not at his best against India.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Salman Butt said: “If there was any match in this whole T20 World Cup in which Shaheen would have wanted to put in all his efforts, it was the one against India. When you play a match of this magnitude, a player doesn’t care if he has a slight niggle and goes all out.

“There must be something that may have hampered Shaheen. It means that he is still not a hundred percent fit. If he slows down or has to sit out in the upcoming matches, the Pakistani think tank as well as the doctors will have to answer a lot of questions.”

On the other hand, Salman Butt questioned Babar Azam’s captaincy. Butt doesn’t agree with the idea that Azam is still learning as a captain.

“You cannot create a leader and nor is there any training for that. Leaders are born. Making decisions and staying ahead of the opposition are natural traits that cannot be taught.

“Also, I don’t buy the argument that Babar is still learning as the learning process isn’t ending even after so many years. This is not the place where you learn and become a better captain.”

Pakistan had the match in their grasp as India needed 28 runs off the final eight balls. However, Virat Kohli was able to add the finishing touches for the Men in Blue to lead India to a memorable win.

Pakistan will aim to make a solid comeback in their upcoming matches. The Men in Green will take on Zimbabwe on Thursday at the Perth Stadium, Perth.