Pakistan drop Shaheen Afridi from 2nd PAK vs BAN test

Shaheen Afridi managed figures of 2/88 in Bangladesh’s first innings in the first test.

In a huge move, the Pakistan cricket team has excluded Shaheen Afridi from the second test against Bangladesh. Head coach Jason Gillespie said that the left-arm seamer is “working on some things” in his bowling.

Pakistan lost the first test by 10 wickets. Mushfiqur Rahim’s 191 helped Bangladesh take a 117-run lead in the first innings before Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz combined to take seven wickets and bundle Pakistan out for 146.

The second test will also be played in Rawalpindi from August 30.

He fully understands and appreciates the thinking behind it: Jason Gillespie

Pakistan have named a 12-man squad for the second test, which includes legspinner Abrar Ahmed and fast bowler Mir Hamza. Ahmed is expected to replace Shaheen in the XI after Pakistan went with a four-man pace attack in the first test.

Shaheen Afridi had a forgettable first test, in which he picked the wickets of two tailenders in 30 overs in Bangladesh’s first innings. Shaheen’s form and pace have dipped since suffering a knee injury in 2022.

Gillespie said, “Shaheen’s missed out this game. We’ve had a good conversation with him, and he fully understands and appreciates the thinking behind it. Shaheen’s been given some feedback. He’s working on some things with his bowling to be as effective as he possibly can be. He’s working really well with Azhar Mahmood. We want to see Shaheen at his best because we’ve got a lot of cricket in all formats and Shaheen’s going to play a really big role in that.”

He became a father last week, during the first test.

“Shaheen’s had an interesting last couple of week. He’s a new father. We’re seeing an opportunity where we’re able to allow him to go and spend some time with his family as well,” Gillespie added.

Pakistan XII for 2nd test vs Bangladesh:

Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza

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