Pakistan’s all-rounder Shaheen Afridi has stunned the cricketing world by opting to stay away from Test cricket ahead of the two-match Test series in South Africa. According to reports, Shaheen Afridi will also miss the upcoming Test series against West Indies.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was Pakistan’s man of the match in the recent ODI series against South Africa, scoring seven wickets to help his team thrash the rainbow nation 3-0.
Shaheen Afridi is taking a break from Test cricket to remain eligible for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025
However, the 24-year-old pacer has not been included in the Test squad for the two-match series in South Africa starting on December 26 at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
Pakistan cricket team’s interim coach and chief selector Aaqib Javed said that Shaheen Afridi’s workload is being carefully managed to ensure he remains fresh for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 and hence he has been rested for the South Africa Test series.
However, media reports claimed that the left-arm pacer himself had asked for a break from Test cricket. Shaheen Afridi has reportedly asked the team management and national selectors not to consider him in Test matches for the next few months based on workload management.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will skip Tests until the end of Champions Trophy 2025
The star Pakistani pacer wants to be fully fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for February-March and hence he is not keen on joining Test cricket, instead focusing on T20 cricket to manage his workload and be fully fit. for the mega event.
PTI quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source as saying, “The truth is that Shaheen himself has requested that the Test matches not be considered until the Champions Trophy is over.”
Furthermore, Afridi has reportedly informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the management of the Pakistan cricket team about a lucrative offer he received from a franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The star pacer has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team management that he will handle the workload in BPL 2024-25, which will be played from December 30 to February 7.
The source added: “He has assured the management and the money is very good and will look after his fitness and workload during the event, so he should be allowed to play in the league.”
Shaheen Afridi will be available for selection for the ODI Tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand
Afridi, who will now miss the four Tests against South Africa and West Indies during his BPL 2024-25 participation, has assured the PCB and Pakistan team management that he will be fully fit for the upcoming tri-series ODIs against New Zealand and South Africa. before the mega event.
The source added: “Shahin said he will be fully fit for the tri-series ODIs against New Zealand and South Africa and then the Champions Trophy at home. Shahin told Aaqib that he could be selected for Tests once the Champions Trophy is over.”
Note that Pakistan is no longer in the running for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. However, if South Africa win either of the upcoming two Tests against Pakistan, they will qualify for the WTC 2023-25 final to be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in June 2025.
