International cricket returned to Pakistan last month as the cricket-crazy nation hosted Sri Lanka for three ODI’s and three T20I matches. However, the Pakistani fans did not have much to celebrate as they saw their home side get hammered in the T20I’s by the island nation. Pakistan, who are ranked number 1 in ICC T20 team rankings, lost all three matches of the shortest format after they defeated the visiting side 2-0 in the ODI series. On the backdrop of the series defeat, former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi admitted that the national side is in desperate need of power hitters.

Shahid Afridi on lack of power-hitters

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Pakistan home series defeat

The star all-rounder, who himself was one of the biggest power-hitters in international cricket, criticised the national side for their performance in the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka. Throughout the three matches, the Pakistani batsmen could manage to hit only 5 sixes combined in a series completely dominated by the Sri Lankans. The home series defeat came as a surprise to the entire cricketing community as Sri Lanka were ranked number 7 before the start of the tour.

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In an interview with a Pakistani daily, the 2009 World T20 winner said that the home side missed the element of quality power-hitting against Sri Lanka. He cited Abdul Razzak as a fine hitter during his time and emphasised the important role the big-hitting batsmen have played in the growth of Pakistan cricket. He also addressed Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard and MS Dhoni as world-renowned power hitters in his interview.  

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