ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Shaheen Afridi to retire from Tests? Pacer shifts focus to white-ball cricket

Pakistan’s premier pacer, Shaheen Afridi, stunned the cricket world by opting to stay 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 the West Indies, as per reports.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was the standout bowler for Pakistan in their recent ODI series against South Africa, taking seven wickets to help his team secure a 3-0 whitewash in the rainbow nation.

Shaheen Afridi takes a break from Test cricket to stay fit for ICC Champions Trophy 2025

However, the 24-year-old pacer is not included in the Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in South Africa, starting on December 26 at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.

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Pakistan cricket team’s interim head coach and senior selector, Aaqib Javed, said that Shaheen Afridi's workload is being carefully managed to ensure he remains fresh for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, and that’s why he was rested for the South Africa Test series.

But the media reports claimed that the left-arm pacer has himself asked for a break from Test cricket. Shaheen Afridi has reportedly asked the team management and national selectors not to consider him for the Test matches for the next couple of months, citing workload management.

Shaheen Shah Afridi to skip Tests until the Champions Trophy 2025 is over

The star Pakistani pacer wants to be fully fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for February-March, and that’s why he doesn’t want to get involved in Test cricket, instead focusing on the T20 cricket to manage his workload and be fully prepared for the mega event.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source was quoted as saying by PTI: “The truth is Shaheen himself requested he not be considered for Test matches until the Champions Trophy is over.”

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Additionally, Afridi has reportedly informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan cricket team management about a lucrative offer he received from a franchise in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL).

The star pacer has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team management that he would manage his workload during the BPL 2024-25, which will be played from December 30 to February 7.

The source further added, “He assured the management and board the money was very good and he would look after his fitness and workload during the event so he should be permitted to play in the league.”

Shaheen Afridi to be available for selection for 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 involvement, assured the PCB and the Pakistan team management that he will be fully fit for the upcoming tri-series ODIs against New Zealand and South Africa before the mega event.

The source added, “Shaheen said he would be fully fit in time for the tri-series ODIs against New Zealand and South Africa followed by the Champions Trophy at home. Shaheen told Aaqib he can be selected for tests once the Champions Trophy is completed.”

Notably, Pakistan is no longer in the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final. However, if South Africa wins one of their upcoming two Tests against Pakistan, they will qualify for the WTC 2023-25 final, which will be held at Lord's Cricket Ground in June 2025.