Shahid Afridi can't bat or bowl in tough conditions: Aamer Sohail on PCB's 1999 WC team

Former Pakistan captain Aamer Sohail made some startling claims about how team manment operated against his wish in selecting team for 1999 World Cup in England. left-handed batsman recently took to his YouTube channel and talked about Pakistan’s runners-up campaign at 1999 event. In video, he criticised Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for selecting Shahid Afridi, who was 19 years old at time.

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Aamer Sohail slams PCB and Shahid Afridi for 1999 selection

Aamer Sohail revealed that when he was Pakistan’s captain in 1998, he wanted selectors to go into 1999 World Cup with regular openers in line-up. He was of opinion that Pakistan needed batsmen who could stay at crease and play out new ball. While team manment opted for Shahid Afridi as ir opener, Sohail said that all-rounder at time was ‘neir able to bowl r able to bat’ and was someone who could just score quick runs on ‘flat low-bouncing tracks’. He added that if he was Pakistan’s captain instead of Wasim Akram in 1999 World Cup, he would have opted for Mohammad Yousuf as ir opening batsman.

Shahid Afridi in 1999 World Cup

Shahid Afridi played seven out of 10 matches Pakistan played in 1999 World Cup. all-rounder failed to make much of an impact with bat as he scored a mere 93 runs at an aver of 13.28. In all-important final against Australia at Lord’s, London, Shahid Afridi scored 13 runs off 16 balls.

Aamer Sohail on Wasim Akram’s captaincy and Shahid Afridi’s performance in 1999, watch video

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Aamer Sohail talks about 1999 World Cup campaign

Aamer Sohail added that even though Pakistan reached final of tournament, y played like a ‘local team’ throughout event. He stated that Wasim Akram-led side did t play with a settled line-up and rotated ir batting order in every match. Sohail also stated that he and his n-teammate Salim Malik wanted ir captain Wasim Akram to bowl first after winning toss in final.

He recalled that according to Salim Malik, re were rains in London day before and batting first would have exposed ir batsmen on a difficult pitch. However, Wasim Akram won toss and batted first which resulted in ‘Men in Green’ folding for 132 against Shane Warne and co. Australia overhauled Pakistan’s target with 29.5 overs to spare to be crowned World Champions for second time in history.

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Im credit: AP