Former selector Shahid Afridi gets called out for ignoring Iftikhar Ahmed

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Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi has been called out for his apparent inconsistency in team selection. 

Afridi, who served as the interim chief selector during Pakistan's ODI series against New Zealand in January 2023, is now facing criticism for not including all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed in the squad during his tenure.

Afridi took to 'X' (formerly known as Twitter) to praise Australia's Glenn Maxwell's explosive innings against the Netherlands, scoring 106 runs off 44 deliveries. Afridi highlighted the importance of power-hitting in the game and expressed his hope that Iftikhar Ahmed could play a similar role for Pakistan in the ongoing Cricket World Cup 2023.

"What an innings by @GlenMaxwell today, its a showcase of top class power hitting, well deserved win for Australia. I expect Iftikhar Ahmad to play a similar role for our team, he definitely has the capability to do so and the pitches are curated for power hitting, we all need you to fire up now #CWC2023," Afridi wrote on X.

What an innings by @GlenMaxwell today, its a showcase of top class power hitting, well deserved win for Australia!

I expect Iftikhar Ahmad to play a similar role for our team, he definitely has the capability to do so and the pitches are curated for power hitting, we all need…

— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) October 25, 2023

However, his comments did not go unnoticed by cricket journalists, who pointed out that Afridi had omitted Iftikhar Ahmed from the squad during his tenure as interim chief selector earlier this year. 

The journalist's response can be roughly translated as, 'But Lala, you didn't select Iftikhar in the first place'.

Lakin Lala aap ne tu Iftikhar ko shuru main select hi nahi kia tha :(

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) October 25, 2023

It is worth noting that Iftikhar is renowned for his power-hitting abilities. He played a brilliant innings of 40 runs off 27 balls against Afghanistan, providing essential contribution to the team. However, the Men in Green couldn't secure a victory.

Standing on the verge of elimination with just two wins in five matches, Pakistan will next face South Africa in Chennai on Friday.