Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has reacted to Shoab Malik's controversial "liking and disliking culture" tweet on Twitter after Pakistan's defeat in the final of the recently concluded Asia Cup 2022.
The legendary all-rounder further said that Malik's controversial remark played a role in his snub from the Pakistan squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022. Afridi believes that the veteran cricketer should not have made such a comment before the announcement of the T20 World Cup 2022 squad.
Malik has not played since last year's T20 World Cup 2021, and Afridi said that the former skipper should have been added to the T20 World Cup 2022 squad to help Babar Azam and solve Pakistan’s middle overs issue that let them down in the recent Asia Cup 2022.
Shahid Afridi told Samaa TV: “He has played cricket across the globe and has done well everywhere. He is a top choice for every franchise. He is also supremely fit. Babar Azam would have gotten a lot of support if Malik had been there, even if he was on the bench. The selectors should have communicated with him if he wasn't a part of their plans.”
Malik had tweeted, “When will we come out from friendship, liking and disliking culture. Allah always helps the honest.”
On Malik's controversial tweet, Afridi said: “I think Malik should not have posted such a tweet. He should have waited for the team's announcement. I think he deserves to be a part of the squad.”
The former skipper also believes that Malik should have at least been given a chance to present his case in the upcoming seven-match T20I series against England, starting on September 20 in Karachi.
He signed off by saying, “Pakistan could have added (Shoaib) Malik to the squad for the England series. They could have tried him out for three or four matches to assess his performance. We need a middle-order batter, and Malik has a lot of experience playing in that role.”
