Shaheen returned with figures of 4/30 in his four overs against England.
Afridi had called for Shaheen’s exclusion from the side after dismal show against arch-rivals India (1/31 in 2 overs) in the group stage. While the fast bowler didn’t feature in the next two matches against Namibia and New Zealand (abandoned due to rain), he was brought back for the England game.
Shaheen repaid the faith of the team management with figures of 4/30 in four overs against England, but Shahid insisted he will continue to bench the lanky pacer.
“Shaheen wasn’t in my XI. And I knew how to get the best out of him. I tried to fire him up by having his father-in-law say what everyone else was saying (dropping him from the XI). I had to fire him up. And if anyone asks me about the next match, I’ll bench Shaheen for that game as well, won’t keep him in the team. That is how you have to keep that fire burning within him,” Shahid said while speaking on Samaa TV.
“Some people need to have their egos hurt, to feel angry. I know Shaheen’s mind very well. There will be those claiming I’m making such a statement only after he’s performed well, but I told my daughter the same thing. I told her to check his performance in his next game, whichever match he’s recalled for. He won’t be able to tolerate such an insult.
“You have to play with the minds of certain individuals and I did precisely that. He has that trait, I have seen him fight his way back,” he added.
Shahid Afridi’s stunning spell went in vain as the Men in Green lost the game by two wickets. The outcome was a huge blow to Pakistan's hopes of reaching the semi-finals, as they must now rely on other Group 2 results to make the final-four.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan rode on Sahibzada Farhan's 45-ball 63 to post 164/9 on the board. Fakhar Zaman (25 off 16) and Shadab Khan (23 off 11) also chipped in with crucial contributions.
In rely, the Three Lions got over the line with five deliveries to spare, thanks to captain Harry Brook’s 100 off just 51 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes.