“No batter will be selected for the T20 side if his domestic strike rate does not exceed 135” according to Boom Boom Afridi, who is currently the Chief Selector of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s players’ committee.
The former Pakistani captain’s comments have sparked a debate among cricket fans and experts. Some back his stance and others argue that other factors such as technique and temperament should also be taken into account.
Afridi, who retired from international cricket in 2018 after representing Pakistan in over 500 matches, has always been known for his aggressive style of play and high strike rate. He is considered one of the greatest T20 players of all time, having achieved numerous achievements in the format.
However, critics have pointed out that a high strike rate alone does not necessarily make a player a success in T20 cricket. They argue that other factors such as the ability to rotate the strike, build partnerships and adapt to different situations are also crucial.
Despite the criticism, Afridi has defended his comments, saying that a high strike rate is an important indicator of a player’s ability to score runs quickly and put pressure on the opposition.
It remains to be seen how the PCB will respond to Afridi’s comments and whether they will adopt similar selection criteria for the national T20 team. What is certain is that Afridi’s views have sparked a lively debate on the selection criteria for T20 players in Pakistan.