In line with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) strategy to alleviate the workload on key fast bowlers, Pakistan’s pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to sit out of a portion of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Ongoing discussions within the PCB aim to shield the pacers from undue strain while also evaluating the form and fitness of emerging talents, according to the publication. This approach opens doors for fast bowlers staging comebacks, increasing their likelihood of featuring in the T20I series against the Kiwis.
Speculations suggest that top fast bowlers like Shaheen may be rested for either the initial matches or the entire series against the visiting New Zealand team, scheduled to commence on April 18.
This development follows PCB’s decision to replace Shaheen as the T20I captain, reinstating Babar Azam in his position. Allegedly, the former captain expressed dissatisfaction with the board’s sudden move to relieve him of his captaincy.
Currently undergoing fitness training at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, reports suggest that Shaheen has voiced surprise over statements attributed to him by the board. He reportedly emphasized the importance of supporting Babar as the captain and raised concerns over not being consulted before such statements were made public.
It is speculated that Shaheen’s potential exclusion from the T20I series could be linked to his response to the board’s statement. However, the final decision regarding his participation will be contingent upon his behavior leading up to the series.
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