Islamabad, 15 April 2025: Shahid Afridi has voiced his support for Shoaib Malik, following criticism over the 43-year-old’s continued presence in PSL.
Malik, who is representing Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing tenth edition of the league, came under scrutiny after ex-cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Basit Ali questioned his selection.
Both expressed concern over senior players blocking young talent, citing Malik’s poor outing against Lahore Qalandars with just 14 runs and no wickets.
During a television discussion, Yousuf suggested that a limit should be set for older players participating in franchise cricket.
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He implied that age and performance needed to be considered seriously by the board when forming squads.
Basit Ali also weighed in during a sports show, pointing out that younger players like Khawaja Nafay were being benched while Malik continued to feature in the playing XI.
He sarcastically remarked that if Malik could play, then even coaches like Moeen Khan and legends like Viv Richards should be eligible to take the field.
Despite the criticism, Afridi held a more balanced view. While speaking on a cricket show, he said Malik had every right to continue playing if he felt fit enough.
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However, Afridi did suggest that the senior pro should consider skipping occasional matches to give opportunities to deserving youngsters, many of whom had shown strong performances at domestic levels to earn their place.
Malik, who has represented four different franchises in PSL history, remains one of the most experienced T20 players globally.
With 13,571 runs and 83 half-centuries in 557 T20 appearances, he ranks behind only Chris Gayle and Alex Hales in terms of total runs scored in the format.
As the debate continues, the focus remains on how teams strike a balance between experience and youth in the competitive world of franchise cricket.
