‘Deliver or Say Goodbye’: Shoaib Akhtar Warns Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan Cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar has warned that senior players, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, could face an uncertain future in the national team if they fail to deliver during the upcoming ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England. Akhtar also suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) could be considering whether Babar should continue in the One Day International setup.

Akhtar’s comments have added to the pressure surrounding Pakistan cricket ahead of the home tri-series. While he believes Babar still deserves a place in the team because of his talent and experience, the former fast bowler stressed that the PCB expects results from its senior players and may no longer be willing to overlook underwhelming performances.

He also cautioned against placing players under excessive pressure by making them feel that a single poor series could end their international careers. According to Akhtar, Pakistan must manage its experienced players carefully while ensuring they meet the team’s performance expectations.

Shoaib Akhtar Questions Babar Azam’s Future in Pakistan’s ODI Team

One of the biggest talking points from Akhtar’s comments was his suggestion that the PCB could be discussing Babar Azam’s position in the ODI team. Speaking on the Outside Edge show, the former Pakistan fast bowler raised the possibility of dropping the star batter but made it clear that he was not trying to create unnecessary controversy around him.

Akhtar believes Babar’s talent should be utilised effectively, although the batter must continue demonstrating his value to the national side.

“Would you drop Babar Azam from ODIs? I am just asking, leaving it as a question. The big question mark is there. I am telling you from the inside: this is something they are thinking, along those lines,” Akhtar said.

He also explained that Pakistan would need to build its batting combination around Babar if the team decides to retain him. According to Akhtar, the management must consider how other players fit alongside the former captain rather than judging his contribution solely through his batting average.

“I think he should play, and with the performances that he has and with the talent that he has, it should go towards his best utilisation. He should prove to PCB that ‘I am a worthy ODI player,’” Akhtar added.

Akhtar’s remarks highlight the debate surrounding Babar’s role in Pakistan’s batting lineup. Although he has faced scrutiny over his performances, he was Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in their ODI series against Australia, demonstrating that he remains capable of making important contributions.

Pakistan Senior Players Facing Unseen Pressure Ahead of Tri-Series

Akhtar also identified several senior Pakistan players who could enter the tri-series under significant pressure to protect their places in the national team. Alongside Babar, he named fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, as well as all-rounder Shadab Khan.

The former speedster suggested that these players might be worried that the upcoming series could influence their long-term international futures. However, he believes such uncertainty could affect their confidence and prevent them from performing at their best.

“There is an unseen pressure on the senior players. That maybe this might be our last series. Let me be completely frank Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Shadab Khan too. Especially Babar Azam as well,” Akhtar said.

He argued that Pakistan should avoid creating an atmosphere in which established players feel they must deliver immediately or face exclusion from the team.

“If we send Babar in with the mindset that ‘deliver, and if you don’t, then thank you very much,’ that’s a bit unfair. Don’t do that,” Akhtar added.

While acknowledging that Babar is not necessarily his preferred type of player, Akhtar stressed that Pakistan should make the best possible use of the talent available to them.

‘PCB Won’t Budge Anymore’: Akhtar Warns Pakistan Players

Although Akhtar expressed concerns about the pressure placed on senior players, he also delivered a strong warning about the PCB’s expectations. He suggested that the board wants greater accountability and will increasingly judge players according to their performances and ability to fulfil their responsibilities.

According to Akhtar, Pakistan’s senior cricketers must demonstrate that they can meet the demands of international cricket rather than relying on their reputations or previous achievements.

“They are emphasising that if these players don’t deliver, then we might as well look the other way. Simple. And the message is very clear,” Akhtar said while discussing the possible thinking within the PCB management.

He added that the board would expect Shaheen Shah Afridi to bowl his full quota of 10 overs with the intensity required in ODI cricket. Akhtar warned that the left-arm fast bowler could not afford to lose pace or intensity during important spells.

“If he (Shaheen) does not bowl 10 overs with the full intensity that we require from you, then thank you very much,” Akhtar said.

Akhtar’s comments underline the importance of consistency in Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly in the 50-over format, where fast bowlers must manage their energy and maintain pressure across different stages of an innings.

Shoaib Akhtar Offers Advice to Shaheen Shah Afridi

Despite his strong warning, Akhtar also offered Shaheen advice on how to manage his bowling spells more effectively. The former Pakistan speedster believes that fast bowlers should build their rhythm gradually instead of trying to deliver maximum intensity from the first over.

Akhtar explained that Pakistan’s fast bowlers of previous generations often increased their intensity as a spell progressed, allowing them to finish strongly. He suggested that Shaheen could benefit from a similar approach while maintaining his pace and effectiveness.

“I am all for Shaheen, I am giving a suggestion: make sure that you don’t hit the pedal right from the word go. You pace it up,” Akhtar said.

He described how fast bowlers should focus on their rhythm, running approach and awareness of conditions before increasing their intensity.

“A bit stronger in the second spell, and then very strong in the last one. So first, get the rhythm right, get the feeling right, get the environment right, how the grass feels under your feet, how are we running in, whether you feel the wind or not, what the batsman is doing?” he added.

For Akhtar, successful fast bowling involves more than raw speed. He believes bowlers must understand their bodies, assess conditions and maintain the right mindset to deliver consistently throughout a match.

Pakistan’s Performance Expectations Under Renewed Scrutiny

Akhtar’s remarks come at a time when Pakistan are facing growing expectations to improve their performances in international cricket. The upcoming tri-series against Sri Lanka and England offers the team an opportunity to assess its combinations and establish a stronger foundation in the ODI format.

The series could also provide an important test for Pakistan’s experienced players, particularly those expected to lead the batting and bowling units. Babar’s contribution with the bat and Shaheen’s ability to deliver effective spells will be closely watched as the team looks to build momentum.

Akhtar suggested that the PCB is becoming increasingly strict about performance requirements and expects players to justify their places through consistent contributions.

“The thing is, it’s all about the intention that you had as a fast bowler in your profession. But again, they are very, very, very strict about one thing. PCB won’t budge anymore on deliverables,” he warned.

He concluded his assessment by stressing that players must perform to earn continued opportunities in the national side.

“Deliver on this, and only then move forward on a ‘play as you deliver’ basis,” Akhtar added.

Fakhar Zaman Also Acknowledges Pressure to Win an ICC Trophy

Akhtar’s comments came as Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman acknowledged that the national team is under pressure to end its long wait for a major ICC trophy.

Pakistan last won an ICC title in 2017, when they defeated India in the Champions Trophy final. Since then, the team has reached major finals but has been unable to secure another global trophy, including its defeat to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup final.

Fakhar said the players have held extensive discussions about ending the drought and understand the expectations of supporters.

“There is pressure on us as a team to deliver an ICC trophy, and we have had extensive discussions about ending the country’s wait for a major international trophy,” Fakhar was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India.

Pakistan’s next major opportunity to challenge for an ICC title will come at the 2027 ODI World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The upcoming tri-series will therefore be an important opportunity to test players and refine combinations ahead of that tournament.

Could Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Lose Their Places?

Akhtar’s comments have raised questions about the future of some of Pakistan’s most prominent players, but his remarks do not confirm that the PCB has decided to drop Babar, Shaheen or any of the other senior cricketers he mentioned.

His assessment instead points to what he believes is a growing emphasis on accountability within Pakistan cricket. While he wants senior players to deliver stronger performances, he also believes the team management must provide them with the right environment to succeed.

For Babar, the immediate challenge will be to demonstrate his value as an ODI batter and contribute consistently to Pakistan’s campaign. For Shaheen, Naseem and Haris, maintaining intensity and delivering effective spells will be important as the team evaluates its bowling options.

Shadab Khan will also be expected to contribute in his role as an all-rounder, offering balance with both bat and ball. Ultimately, performances during the tri-series could influence discussions about Pakistan’s preferred combinations, although any selection decisions will rest with the team’s management and selectors.

Conclusion

Shoaib Akhtar has issued a strong warning to Pakistan’s senior cricketers, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Shadab Khan, ahead of the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England. He suggested that the PCB could be considering Babar’s future in the ODI setup and believes senior players are facing pressure to justify their places through performances.

However, Akhtar also cautioned against making players feel that one unsuccessful series could end their international careers. He urged Pakistan to manage Babar effectively and advised Shaheen to build his bowling intensity gradually while maintaining consistency across his spells.

With Pakistan aiming to improve their ODI performances and prepare for the 2027 World Cup, the upcoming tri-series will provide an important opportunity for the senior players to respond. For now, Akhtar’s comments represent his assessment of the pressure within Pakistan cricket rather than confirmation of any official PCB decision on the futures of the players he named.