New Delhi: Shaheen Afridi has been performing well on the field, but off the field, there are some troubling issues that could jeopardize his spot in the Test team. The star pacer played a key role in Pakistan’s 3-0 ODI series win against South Africa.
However, Shaheen Afridi has found himself in a new controversy that could impact his international career. According to Cricket Pakistan, ahead of the squad selection for the South Africa series, a selector advised him to participate in a four-day warm-up match. To everyone’s surprise, Afridi rejected the suggestion, which was considered “disobedience” and ultimately led to his exclusion from the Test team.
Interestingly, a similar instruction was given to Babar Azam, who, like Shaheen Afridi, also rejected the suggestion. However, unlike the pacer, Babar faced no consequences and was included in the Test team, even making it to the playing XI for the first Test match.
According to reports, Shaheen Afridi was committed to playing the Test series, but he was left disappointed when he was not included in the squad. After the ODIs, Shaheen even offered to stay with the team and support the young pacers, but the selectors ignored his offer and sent him home.
Reports suggest that the entire Pakistan team is frustrated with one of the selectors, known for his commanding attitude and significant influence on PCB’s daily operations. While Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion from the South Africa Tests was officially cited as workload management, the true reason was reportedly his disciplinary issue.
Shaheen Afridi has been plagued by recurring injuries since 2022, with a significant knee injury reducing his bowling speed and impacting his performance. Once a formidable force, his form has dwindled, particularly since the T20 World Cup in 2022. In 2024, his struggles have continued, with just 3 wickets from 2 matches at an average of 72, leading to his exclusion from the last two Tests against England.
