PAK vs NZ: Shaheen Shah Afridi Reveals The Actual Reason Behind Him Not Playing The Sydney Test
Pakistan was whitewashed by Australia in the recently concluded three-match Test series and they have slumped to the sixth position on the WTC table. Notably, Shaheen Shah Afridi was rested for the third Test by the team management and speculations were being made about his fitness and form. Recently, in a press conference ahead of the T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand, Shaheen Shah Afridi denied all the rumors of him being unfit.
Shaheen Shah Afridi had a forgettable outing against Australia in the Test series as he was only able to take eight wickets in four innings at an average of 41.62. He was leading the pace attack as the seniormost bowler but failed to perform against Australia and was particularly troubled by David Warner in the first Test which was played in Perth. He then played the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne where he took a four-fer in the second innings.
Shaheen Shah Afridi revealed the reason behind his exclusion in the third Test. Recently in a press conference, he cleared the reason behind him not playing in the third Test against Australia. He said, “I am completely fit by god’s grace. I bowled a lot of overs in the first two Tests and secondly, the fatigue factor was considered by the team management so that there are no chances of an injury again. I think if we had a chance of winning the series then it’s always country first in terms of 50-50 situations.”
“I was rested so that I wouldn’t get injured rest assured my first priority has always been Test cricket, I like Test cricket a lot. My brother told me when I started my career that you’re a main cricketer only if you play Test cricket.”
“My first priority is always Test cricket.”
Shaheen Shah Afridi explains why he didn’t play the SCG Test.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/lu7TvTR3W3
— Grassroots Cricket (@grassrootscric) January 11, 2024
Shaheen Shah Afridi Will Lead Pakistan In The T20I Series Against New Zealand
Right after the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Babar Azam stepped down as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team from all formats. Shan Masood was handed the Test captaincy whereas Shaheen Shah Afridi was given the responsibility of leading the national team in the shortest format. He will lead the team against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series which commences on January 12 in Auckland. The T20I series will be a buildup for the players for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 which is scheduled to begin on June 1.
In the T20I series against New Zealand, Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the side whereas Mohammad Rizwan will act as the vice-captain of the team. Babar Azam will bat at No.3 as the opening slot has been given to youngster Saim Ayub alongside Mohammad Rizwan. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will not be keeping wickets for Pakistan in the series as Azam Khan has been appointed for the keeper’s role.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is an able leader and has led his PSL team Lahore Qalandars to two consecutive title victories in 2022 and 2023. He is aiming for the T20 World Cup this year as the last time Pakistan fell short against England in the finals and lost the coveted title.
