Islamabad, Dec 29: Despite being in exceptional form, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s premier left-arm pacer, was unexpectedly left out of the Test squad for the ongoing series against South Africa. This decision has sparked widespread debate, especially given Afridi’s remarkable performance in the preceding ODI series, where he took a series-high seven wickets and played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s triumph. However, reports in the Pakistani media suggest there may be a deeper reason behind his exclusion.
The Controversy Behind Shaheen’s Exclusion
Insider reports indicate that the situation unfolded before the Test squad was announced. A national selector had reportedly requested Afridi to participate in a four-day domestic match to prepare for the series. Due to undisclosed reasons, Afridi was unable to fulfill this request, an act allegedly perceived as “disobedience,” leading to his exclusion from the squad.
Rumors suggest increasing friction within the team, with several players reportedly dissatisfied with the authoritative approach of an unnamed selector, further fueling the controversy.
Shaheen’s Dedication to Test Cricket
Sources close to Afridi reveal that he was deeply disappointed by his omission, as he remains fully committed to Test cricket. After the ODI series, Afridi reportedly offered to stay on for the Test matches and expressed his eagerness to contribute. However, the management made no effort to include him, leaving the pacer disheartened.
Afridi’s absence was conspicuous during the first Test in Centurion, where Pakistan fielded an all-pace attack but lacked a left-arm pacer, raising further questions about the team’s decision-making.
Workload Management or Mismanagement?
The official reasoning for Afridi’s exclusion was “workload management.” Yet, contradicting this rationale, he was granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) for Fortune Barishal, valid until January 15. Afridi is set to feature in at least five BPL matches, starting December 30, adding to the confusion surrounding his omission.
Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion from the Test squad has left fans and experts questioning the rationale behind the team management’s decisions. Was it genuinely about workload management, or was Afridi unjustly penalized for an alleged act of disobedience? As Pakistan faces on-field challenges in South Africa, this controversy adds another layer of complexity to the team’s ongoing issues.
