PAK vs AUS: Why did Shaheen Afridi miss second T20I in Lahore?

Shaheen Afridi’s name was missing from team sheet of 2nd PAK vs AUS T20I, which got underway on January 31 at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

After winning the opening game, Pakistan Cricket Team are locking horns with Australian Cricket Team in the second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The hosts won the first encounter by 22 runs to clinch a victory against Australia in T20Is after seven years.

The luck favoured Pakistan in the 2nd T20I once again as Salman Agha won the toss and opted to bat first. Notably, captain Mitchell Marsh returned to Australia’s XI after missing the opening game. He was rested in the first match to manage his workload.

At the toss, Agha revealed that they have made three changes to their playing XI for the clash. Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, and Usman Tariq were added to the playing XI, while Fakhar Zaman, Salman Mirza and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi missed out.

Why is Shaheen Afridi not part of PAK vs AUS 2nd T20I?

Notably, pacer Afridi is not part of Pakistan’s playing XI in the match as he is rested.

“We’ve got three changes. Fakhar, Shaheen and other player is not playing, they’re resting. And Faheem, Naseem and Usman Tariq are playing,” Agha said.

Speaking about the decision to bat first, Agha added, “We want to bat first. It’s looking like another slow and I think it’s going to turn. That’s what I think it’s going to turn in the second inning more”.

“So we just wanted to put up a above par score and try to restrict them. I’m going to bat 3. I think they’re experienced enough and they know how it takes to bat on these numbers. And I’m very confident they will be able to do that,” he further added.

Notably, Afridi went wicketless in the previous game and leaked 29 runs off his three-over spell. Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0.

Pakistan’s Playing XI for 2nd T20I: Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha (C), Babar Azam, Usman Khan (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abrar Ahmed, Naseem Shah, Usman Tariq

Australia’s Playing XI for 2nd T20I: Mitchell Marsh (c), Travis Head, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Renshaw, Cooper Connolly, Matthew Short, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa, Sean Abbott

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