Pakistan pace bowling spearhead Shaheen Afridi reportedly requested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to keep him out of contention for the South Africa tests. The two-match series between both nations will be played from December 26 to January 7.
Earlier, there were reports of Afridi being dropped by PCB after not being named for the red-ball series. However, the truth about the same arrived on Tuesday, as the sources confirmed that Afridi decided to skip the tests and rather focus on his bowling workload ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
“The truth is Shaheen himself requested he not be considered for Test matches until the Champions Trophy is over,” a source said.
Further, Afridi has reportedly received a lucrative offer to play in the Bangladesh Premier League, scheduled to be played from December 30 to February 7. If the sources are to be believed, the left-arm pacer assured PCB of maintaining his workload during the franchise league.
“He assured the management and board the money was very good and he would look after his fitness and workload during the event so he should be permitted to play in the league,” the source said.
After the two-match series against South Africa, Pakistan will host West Indies for two more tests in January. Their next ODI assignment will be a tri-nation series involving New Zealand and South Africa, and will take place from February 8 to 14. It will be a preparatory series for both teams ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Shaheen Afridi emerges top bowler as Pakistan secure 3-0 whitewash over South Africa
Pakistan recently created history after becoming the first team to whitewash South Africa in ODIs on their home soil. They secured a 3-0 clean sweep with impressive all-round performances.
Saim Ayub emerged as the best batter for the side with 235 runs in three innings, with two centuries. Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi was the finest bowler in the bilateral series with seven scalps in three appearances at an average of 23.28 and best figures of 4/47.
The series marked the second overseas stint for newly-appointed white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan. After losing the T20I series 2-0, he led the fightback for Pakistan to win the 50-over series in handomse fashion.
Earlier, the Rizwan-led side ended Pakistan’s 22-year-long wait of winning their first ODI series in Australia, when they prevailed 2-1 Down Under. However, they went on to lose the T20I series 3-0.
Surely, it has been an impressive start as a captain for Rizwan in ODIs, but he will look to help the side perform well in T20Is.
FAQs
When did Shaheen Afridi last played a test match?
October 2024 against England
What is the track record of Shaheen Afridi in tests?
116 wickets in 31 games
