Pakistan's first-choice spinner Shaheen Afridi has stunned the cricket world by choosing to step away from Test cricket ahead of the two-match Test series in South Africa. Shaheen Afridi is also likely to miss the upcoming Test series against West Indies, according to reports.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was the outstanding bowler for Pakistan in the recent ODI series against South Africa, taking seven wickets to help his side to a 3-0 win in the rainbow nation.
Shaheen Afridi takes a break from Test cricket to maintain his fitness for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy
However, the 24-year-old is not included in the Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in South Africa, starting December 26 at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
Pakistan Cricket Team's interim coach and first selector, Aaqib Javed, said that Shaheen Afridi's workload is being carefully managed to ensure that he remains fresh in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, which is why he has been rested for the South Africa Test series.
But media reports claimed that the left-arm pacer himself requested a break from Test cricket. Shaheen Afridi has reportedly asked the team management and national selectors not to consider him for Test matches in the next two months, citing workload management.
Shaheen Shah Afridi skips the Tests until the 2025 Champions Trophy ends
The Pakistan star wants to be fully fit for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in February-March, which is why he does not want to participate in Test cricket, instead focusing on T20 cricket to manage his workload and get fully prepared. For this huge event.
“The fact is that Shaheen himself has requested that Test matches not be considered until the Champions Trophy is over,” PTI quoted a source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
In addition, Afridi reportedly informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan Cricket Team management about the lucrative offer he received from a franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).
The star player has confirmed to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team management that he will manage his workload during BPL 2024-25, which will be played from December 30 to February 7.
“He has assured the management and board that the money is very good and he will take care of his fitness and workload during the event so he should be allowed to play in the league,” the source added.
Shaheen Afridi will be available for selection in 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 the BPL 2024-25 engagement, has assured the PCB and Pakistan team management that he will be fully fit for the upcoming ODIs series against New Zealand and South Africa. Before the huge event.
The source added: “Shaheen said he will be fully fit in time to participate in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa followed by the Champions Trophy at home. Shaheen told Aqib that he could be selected for the Tests once the Champions Trophy is completed.
Notably, Pakistan is no longer in the race for the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. However, if South Africa wins one of the upcoming two Tests against Pakistan, they will qualify for the final of the 2023-25 WTC Championship, which will be held at Lord's Cricket Ground in June 2025.
