Pakistan team was playing old-fashioned cricket - Shahid Afridi

Former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi believes that the Pakistan team played old-fashioned cricket during the Test series with England, which is why they lost.

The former captain stated that other nations adopted their cricketing style to compete with England. Pakistan, however, was unable to adapt.

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Afridi stated that former cricketers and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) were responsible for working on cricket's grassroots development. This would have contributed to developing a skilled crop of cricketers with adaptable skill sets, which would have facilitated Pakistan to avoid such situations. In addition, he criticised the PCB for changing its policies every few years.

Afridi emphasised that it is unfair to blame Babar Azam for the historic defeat. The team's leadership must share some of the blame and make adjustments to their overall strategy.

Afridi added that it had become impossible for Pakistan to bowl out the English team twice with only three genuine bowlers because of injuries in the camp. 

He questioned the whereabouts of Shahnawaz Dahani and Muhammad Hasnain, who had toured Australia with the team but were suddenly left out of this series despite the team suffering significant bowling injuries.

Afridi advised the team, expecting New Zealand's upcoming visit to Pakistan, to learn from their experience and begin with genuine bowlers before supporting them with bowling-friendly pitches. 

Afridi urged the fans to continue supporting the team in the upcoming series against New Zealand because the players need the public's backing following the home whitewash.