AUS vs PAK: Harsha Bhogle Takes A Dig At Pakistan Cricket Team After They Leave Shaheen Afridi Out Of Their Playing 11 For Sydney Test

Renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle recently shared his reaction to Pakistan’s lineup for the third and final Test match against Australia. Harsha Bhogle expressed surprise at the team management’s decision to exclude pacer Shaheen Afridi from the playing XI.

The Pakistan team has made two changes for the upcoming match, which is scheduled to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), starting on January 3. Young opener Saim Ayub is poised to make his Test debut, replacing Imam-ul-Haq at the top of the order.

Imam-ul-Haq’s batting performances in the ongoing Test series were lackluster, marked by just a single half-century across four innings. Notably, the left-handed batter encountered challenges in rotating the strike, leading to a substantial number of dot balls.

The visitors have reportedly opted to rest pace Shaheen Shah Afridi, who secured only two wickets in the series opener in Perth. However, the young pacer rebounded by claiming six wickets during the recent Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Big Call To Be Without Shaheen Afridi – Harsha Bhogle

Harsha Bhogle expressed concern about Pakistan’s bowling strength in the absence of key players Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed. He also expressed anticipation to witness the performance of Saim Ayub, highlighting the buzz surrounding this promising player.

“Big call to be without Shaheen Afridi for the Sydney Test. I thought Pakistan’s key bowlers would be Shaheen and Abrar but looks a bit thin without them. Excited to see Saim Ayub. I’ve heard a lot about him,” Harsha Bhogle wrote.

Big call to be without Shaheen Afridi for the Sydney Test. I thought Pakistan’s key bowlers would be Shaheen and Abrar but looks a bit thin without them. Excited to see Saim Ayub. I’ve heard a lot about him.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 2, 2024

Saim Ayub scored 123 runs in eight T20Is at an average of 17.57 and a strike rate of 123. The 21-year-old has a promising first-class record, maintaining an impressive average of 46.47 across 14 matches, inclusive of three half-centuries and an equal number of centuries.

Off-spinner Sajid Khan, drafted in as a replacement, is poised to replace Shaheen Afridi in the playing XI, anticipating spin-friendly conditions in Sydney. The visiting team played without any spinners in the first two matches of the ongoing series in Perth and Melbourne.

Pakistan playing XI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal.

Pakistan Suffer Back-to-Back Losses in Ongoing Series

Pakistan has endured a 26-year drought without a Test victory in Australia, experiencing 16 losses. Notably, the SCG holds historical significance as the venue for their last triumph, where Mushtaq Ahmed secured nine wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award.

Shan Masood’s team faced a challenging situation on the bouncy track in Perth, suffering a substantial 360-run loss to Australia. Pakistan were bowled out for a mere 89 runs in the final innings of the match while attempting to chase a formidable target of 450 runs.

Pakistan showcased an improved performance in the second Test, limiting Australia to 318 in the first innings. They were well in contention during the pursuit of 317 in the fourth innings. However, they encountered setbacks after the controversial dismissal of Mohammad Rizwan, ultimately losing by 79 runs and conceding the three-match series.

Also read: IND vs SA: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Snubbed As Harsha Bhogle Picks Test Team Of The Year 2023