Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi may miss the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney if his team loses the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has failed to manage the workload of its players after Khurm Shahzad sustained a fatal chest injury following his impressive debut against the Baggy Greens. He faced severe criticism as a result.
Shaheen Afridi picked up just two wickets in Perth and will be rested until the final match in Sydney to get fit for the crucial T20I series in New Zealand if the visitors also lose the Boxing Day Test There is a possibility. Shan Massoud’s team lost the first Test in Perth by 360 runs after star debutant Khurram Shahzad was injured during the match.
According to reports, Pakistan’s team management is looking to improve pace bowlers, especially the T20 captain, as the T20 World Cup to be held in West Indies and the United States is less than six months away and the series is about to end. He said he wants to monitor Shaheen Afridi’s workload. The match against the Black Caps will be key to their preparation.
“The backlash faced by the board and management regarding the handling of Krumm’s workload caused panic, and Shaheen’s form further added to the concerns of team management and selection committee members.” p>
“The plan is that if Shaheen does not perform well in the Melbourne Test and the team loses, he will be fresh for the T20I series in New Zealand and rested for the final Test. A PCB official said:
Pakistan’s bowling attack is already vulnerable with the absence of injured quick Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf opting out of the series to play in the Australian T20Big Bash League . Khurram Shahzad’s injury is a big loss for the team and he will be returned to the NCA in Lahore to complete his injury care and rehabilitation.
Since arriving in Australia, Pakistan have lost Abrar Ahmed and Khurm Shahzad to injuries. According to various reports, the team management may also test the new starting duo of Saim Ayub and Babar Azam during his T20I series in New Zealand.
The former Pakistan captain, who had been playing T20 tournaments with Muhammad Rizwan for the past two-three years, has been advised to prepare a new opening partner.
