'Such selfish players?' Shaheen takes a dig at critics of Babar, Rizwan

Pakistan openers Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan produced a magnificent outing in the second T20I of the series against England on Thursday. 

In a record-shattering opening stand, the duo posted a 203-run unbeaten partnership to steer Pakistan to a 10-wicket victory, thus levelling the seven-match series 1-1. 

Babar and Rizwan also silenced their critics who questioned the duo's intent following a series of slow knocks in their last few matches.

Rizwan, in particular, had been under the scanner as he scored at a strike rate of just over 117 in the Asia Cup, even as he ended as the highest run-getter in the tournament. 

In the game against England, Babar Azam scored an unbeaten century (110 off 66 deliveries) at a brilliant strike rate of 166, while Rizwan's run-scoring was even better (unbeaten 88 off 51 balls, strike rate of 172).

Following their knocks, Pakistan's leading pacer Shaheen Afridi hit back at critics with a savage dig, as he backed his fellow teammates. Shaheen directed a number of former cricketers through his tweet, who had criticised the intent from Babar and Rizwan with similar words.

"I think it is time to get rid of Kaptaan Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Such selfish players. If they played in the right way, they could have finished this match in 15 overs, but they took it to the final over. Let's make this a movement. No?" Shaheen tweeted.

I think it is time to get rid of Kaptaan @babarazam258 and @iMRizwanPak. Itne selfish players. Agar sahi se khelte to match 15 overs me finish hojana chahye tha. Ye akhri over tak le gaye. Let's make this a movement. Nahi? 😉

Absolutely proud of this amazing Pakistani team. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Q9aKqo3iDm

— Shaheen Shah Afridi (@iShaheenAfridi) September 22, 2022

“Absolutely proud of this amazing Pakistani team,” Shaheen added.