Had Shaheen not injured himself, we would have won the T20 World Cup – Iftikhar Ahmed

Pakistan batter Iftikhar Ahmed reckons they could have won the 2022 T20 World Cup had Shaheen Shah Afridi not suffered an injury in the final contest against England. Afridi suffered a knee injury while diving for a catch at long off and thus could only bowl 2.1 overs before he had to leave the field.

Pakistan failed to defend 137 in the end and England won by five wickets to lift their second T20 World Cup title. Earlier in the match, Afridi had got the big wicket of Alex Hales and he would have been useful in the death overs for Babar Azam-led team.

The lanky left-arm seamer has a great record in the T20I format as he has scalped 64 wickets in 52 matches at an average of 22.73 and an economy rate of 7.64.

Iftikhar Ahmed said on Cricwick, “I believe had Shaheen not injured himself, we would have won the T20 World Cup. It was a tricky pitch and seamers were getting help. It wasn’t a spinner’s pitch, but I had to bowl because we had no option.”

“These are just false talks that Pakistan batters can’t play spinners. If we don’t play spinners well, then who will play? Will Australia, England, or New Zealand play? We have grown up playing on spin-friendly wickets and have played in Bangladesh and Dubai where you get spin from the first over. I feel Pakistan batters are best players of spin.”

On the other hand, Ahmed, who is well known to add the finishing touches for Pakistan, showered praise on Babar Azam’s captaincy.

“Babar Azam as a captain is as big as he is a player. He himself leads by example by playing fearless cricket and also urges his teammates to play fearlessly. He has told the players to talk to him openly about whatever is bothering them and he tries to solve it. He has always supported the players.”

Pakistan will face Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series, starting on 22nd August.