Pakistan need a player like Hardik Pandya, says Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has said that the Men in Green need a player like Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya.

Pandya, 28, is rated as one of the best all-rounders in white-ball cricket. His recent performances has been exemplary and his finishing abilities have caught the eye of Shahid Afridi.

Boom Boom stressed Pakistan bank on players like Asif Ali, Khushdi Shah, Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan but none of them have been able to do the job as consistently as Hardik Pandya has done for India. 

"This kind of a finisher (like Pandya) we don't have. We thought Asif Ali, and Khushdil will do the job but they haven't. Nawaz is also not that consistent, and neither is Shadab. Among these four players, at least two need to be consistent. The period in which Shadab bowls is very crucial. The day he does a good job with the ball, Pakistan wins," Afridi said.

On the other hand, Afridi advised Pakistan to try uncapped all-rounder Aamir Jamal in the remaining games against England.

"In the kind of pitches on which we are playing now, you need two genuine fast bowlers and one all-rounder. The new guy Jamal that we have picked, why don't you play him? Play him as an all-rounder, make him bowl and then ask him to bat. You will get to know what type of cricketer he is," he added.

Afridi stressed Pakistan need to rectify their mistakes before the T20 World Cup.

"If Pakistan are dreaming to win the World Cup then they need to work a lot on their bowling and batting and minimize the mistakes that they have been committing in the last few matches," he added.