‘In the name of surgery’: Afridi slams Pakistan selectors for ditching Babar and Babar & Co.

New Delhi: Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi Pakistan cricket selectors strongly criticized after national team lost 2-1 ODI series Bangladesh national cricket team. The defeat comes soon after Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which has increased the pressure on the team management and decision-makers.Bangladesh sealed the series with an 11-run victory in the decider at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Afridi publicly accuses Pakistan selection committee

After the defeat, Afridi publicly blamed the selection committee for the team’s woes. He questioned their decisions and leadership in a video shared on social media. “You saw the performance 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 the people on the committee have played so much cricket but you still don’t seem to know who should captain which format,” Afridi said.He also criticized what he called excessive experimentation with young players. “You always take too many decisions in the name of ‘surgery’. All you do is pick youngsters and players who have barely played a few first-class games. Your domestic cricket is not even up to that standard to consistently produce players who are ready to earn a place in the Pakistan team,” he added.Afridi further claimed that experienced players with good ODI records were being unfairly sidelined. While he didn’t mention any names, it was clear that he was alluding to players like Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, who were dropped from the Pakistan team in the Bangladesh series. “The senior players who really deserve their place, even if they don’t perform well in T20s, have a very good record in ODIs. But in the name of ‘surgery’, you are keeping those experienced players out despite their good performance in ODIs,” he said.He concluded by stating that the lack of direction in the selectors’ strategy could destabilize the team. “Instead you are bringing in youngsters who have only played a few first-class domestic games. The standard of domestic cricket is not high enough and these players are not ready to step straight into the Pakistan team and cement their status.” You are handing out Pakistani hats again and again, this is not surgery. If anything, the real surgery should be done by the selection committee,” he said.

Bangladesh beat Pakistan 2-1 to win three-match series

Batting first, Bangladesh scored a total of 290 runs in 5 overs of 50 overs. The opening match between Saif Hassan and Tanzeed Hassan started off strong. Saif scored 36 runs while Tanzhid produced a brilliant performance in his maiden ODI century, scoring 107 runs with 6 fours and 7 sixes. Later, the contribution of Litton Das (41) and Towhid Hridoy’s unbeaten 48 helped Bangladesh achieve a competitive total.Pakistan’s chase got off to a poor start as both openers were dismissed in the first two innings, leaving the team tied at 2-2. Despite the early setback, Salman Ali Agha fought back and scored an impressive 106 off 98 balls to help Pakistan stay in the tournament. Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi scored 37 runs while debutants Saad Masood (38 runs) and Ghazi Ghori (29 runs) showed some promise. Abdul Samad also contributed 34 runs but Pakistan were bowled out for 279, falling short of the target.Bangladesh’s bowling played a key role in sealing the win. Taskin Ahmed led the attack with four wickets while Mustafizur Rahman took three wickets. Earlier in the match, Pakistan bowler Haris Rauf was the most successful player for his team, taking three wickets.