Shaheen Afridi’s exile from Pakistan’s Check crew has stunned many. When he was launched by the Pakistan crew after the primary Check of the three-match collection towards England at dwelling final yr, it was anticipated that he could be recalled to the crew for the collection in South Africa.
With situations in South Africa favorable for quick bowlers, it appeared extremely possible that the pacer would discover a place within the Pakistan crew. Nonetheless, the selectors and the crew administration determined in any other case as they didn’t recall the left-arm pacer.
At the moment, experiences acknowledged that the explanation behind Shaheen Afridi’s absence from the Check crew was workload administration. In his absence, Pakistan misplaced each the Assessments towards the African outfit. Earlier than the Check collection, Afridi performed within the T20I in addition to the ODI collection towards the Proteas.
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Aaqib Javed on Shaheen Afridi’s absence:
Pakistan’s interim head coach Aaqib Javed has revealed the explanation behind Shaheen Afridi’s absence from the Check crew. He was interacting with the media forward of the second Check towards West Indies when one of many journalists requested him the explanation for Afridi not enjoying the Cape City Check towards South Africa.
In response, Javed made it clear that the Pakistan selectors didn’t decide him within the crew as a result of he doesn’t play four-day cricket anymore. He acknowledged that not getting sufficient match follow for a Check match impacts the bowlers’ rhythm and it’s the predominant motive behind Afridi’s absence from the Check aspect. Javed additionally urged the Pakistan bowlers to arrange themselves for Assessments by enjoying red-ball cricket within the home circuit.
There may be one-day cricket and Check cricket. With a lot cricket being performed these days, in the event you play all three codecs, you may bowl in Assessments throughout a collection, however then for the subsequent three months, you don’t play any four-day cricket. So, if you return to Check matches, you must rebuild your self for bowling in that format,” stated Javed.
“That’s one motive why quick bowlers, once they bowl 20–25 overs in a day, wrestle to keep up the power wanted to get tail-enders out in direction of the top.
“If Shaheen Afridi had performed, Mohammad Abbas wouldn’t have performed. It was due to Abbas that the match acquired as shut because it did.
So, all these bowlers have to deal with making ready themselves for Check matches by enjoying four-day cricket earlier than the collection. Solely then will they construct the stamina required for Check-level cricket,” he added.
So Aqib Javed dropped Shaheen Afridi from TESTs as a result of he don’t play 4 day cricket.👍 pic.twitter.com/By6tr2V2tK
— Salman 🇵🇰 (@SalmanAsif2007) January 24, 2025
In the meantime, Pakistan have taken an unassailable 1-0 lead within the ongoing two-match Check collection towards West Indies. They received the primary Check by 127 runs. The second Check shall be getting underway on Saturday (January 25).