Shaheen Shah Afridi' Test Future Under Doubt Following Exclusion From Windies Series: Report
Photo : AP
Ace Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi's Test future suddenly finds itself under a huge cloud of doubt after his exclusion from the upcoming series against the Windies. The star bowler, probably the best among Pakistan's current generation of players, has been an irregular in squads across formats, even when results haven't favoured the team in his absence.
Afridi has now either been dropped, sidelined or rested for eight out of Pakistan's last 12 Tests since early last year. His absence showed in their performance as the team now looks to avoid a bottom-place finish in the World Test Championship table.
Afridi with 116 wickets from 32 Tests wasn't selected for the two-Test series in South Africa with the selectors explaining that they wanted him fresh for the Champions Trophy beginning February 19. PCB though did not hesitate to issue a NOC to him to go and play in the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League at the same time the Tests were on in South Africa.
“The selectors want Shaheen and even Naseem at their best in the Champions Trophy as it is a 50-overs competition and we are defending champions," a source told PTI.
The report says that the source had no reasonable answer when reminded that Pakistan had never won a Test series in South Africa and last won a Test there 19 years ago. A series victory or even a Test win with Afridi in the team on those tracks would have been a big boost for Pakistan before the Champions Trophy.
“But for the West Indies series, there was no purpose taxing him out since both teams are out of this cycle of the World Test Championship final contention and the selectors are planning to have spin pitches in Multan," the source said.
Afridi played in the first Test against England in October but hasn't been seen in whites since then.
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