The way forward for Pakistan’s premier quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in red-ball cricket has come beneath a cloud after he was sidelined for the two-Check collection towards the West Indies at dwelling. Shaheen has now both been dropped, sidelined or “rested” for eight out of Pakistan’s final 12 Assessments since early 2024. The left-arm pacer with 116 wickets from 32 Assessments was additionally not chosen for the two-Check collection in South Africa with the selectors giving the reason that they needed him recent for the ICC Champions Trophy beginning February 19.
Curiously, the Pakistan Cricket Board did not hesitate to challenge a NOC to Shaeen to go and play within the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League on the similar time the Assessments have been on in South Africa.
Even earlier than the South African tour the place Shaheen performed and carried out nicely within the T20 and ODI collection, the selectors had sidelined him for the final two Assessments towards England at dwelling final yr and earlier than {that a} Check every towards Bangladesh at dwelling and in Sydney in Australia early 2024.
Within the newest setback for Shaheen, the selectors introduced a 15-member squad for the 2 Assessments towards West Indies with out Shaheen and likewise with out common pacers Naseem Shah and Mir Hamza, Muhammad Abbas and Aamir Jamal all who performed in South Africa collection which Pakistan misplaced two nil.
A supply near the selectors mentioned that Shaheen and Naseem have been each being nursed by means of to the Champions Trophy which begins February 19.
“The selectors need Shaheen and even Naseem at their greatest within the Champions Trophy as it’s a 50-overs competitors and we’re defending champions,” the supply mentioned.
However he had no cheap reply when reminded that Pakistan had by no means received a Check collection in South Africa and final received a Check there in 2006. A collection win or perhaps a Check victory with Shaheen within the facet on tempo pleasant pitches would have been a giant increase for Pakistan earlier than the ICC occasion.
The supply insisted that the selectors had deliberated upon having Shaeen within the Check squad for the South Africa collection however determined to offer him a break due to the hectic cricket calender.
“However for the West Indies collection there was no goal taxing him out since each groups are out of this cycle of the World Check Championship last rivalry and the selectors are planning to have spin pitches in Multan.” Shaheen, nonetheless solely 24 years of age, has himself in a current interview made it clear he was able to play Check and all codecs for Pakistan.
He additionally dismissed solutions he had requested the selectors to relaxation him for the South Africa.
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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