Shaheen Afridi Likely To Sit Out 3rd Test Vs Australia To Manage Workload

Sydney: Pakistan’s fast-bowling powerhouse, Shaheen Shah Afridi, may get a break from the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney to carefully manage his workload.

This decision comes in the wake of criticism faced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after Khurram Shahzad suffered a major rib cage injury following an impressive debut in the opening Test at Perth.

Despite Shahzad’s impactful five-wicket haul, his unfortunate injury ruled him out for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests. Afridi, the pace spearhead, managed only two wickets in Perth, intensifying concerns about the team’s bowling performance. If Pakistan faces another defeat in the Boxing Day Test, the management is considering resting Afridi for the Sydney Test to ensure his freshness for the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand.

The absence of key pacers, including Naseem Shah recovering from shoulder surgery, Ehsanullah rehabilitating from elbow surgery, and Muhammad Hasnain nursing an ankle injury, has added to Pakistan’s bowling woes in Australia. Spinner Abrar Ahmed and Khurrum Shahzad have also been sidelined.

Additionally, there are talks within the team management about experimenting with a new opening combination in the T20I series in New Zealand, possibly featuring Saim Ayub alongside Babar Azam. Babar, who has been partnering with Muhammad Rizwan in T20s for the past few years, has been advised to prepare for a potential change in the opening partnership.