The Pakistan national cricket team has dropped star pacer Shaheen Afridi from the playing XI for the second and final Test against Bangladesh after an alleged heated exchange with captain Shan Masood. This match got underway in Sylhet on May 16.
After winning the toss at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan captain Shan Masood opted to bowl first and announced three changes in the line up from the first Test in Dhaka.
Babar Azam returned to Pakistan XI after missing 1st Test
Babar Azam returned to Pakistan playing XI after missing the first Test against Bangladesh because of a left knee injury. Now, Babar has recovered from the injury and taken the spot of Imam-ul-Haq for the second Test against the Bangladesh national cricket team in Sylhet.
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Surprisingly, Khurram Shahzad returned to the Pakistan XI for the first time since January 2025, and he replaced the star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Khurram has played only 6 Tests for the side so far and has taken 20 wickets.
Shaheen Afridi dropped after an alleged clash with Shan Masood
It is being said that a heated exchange took place between Captain Shan Masood and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi after the touring side’s shocking 104-run defeat against the Tigers in Dhaka. Afrid was expensive in the first inning with 3/113 and then managed 2/54 in Dhaka.
A PCB source was quoted as saying in Telecom Asia Sport: “A disgruntled Shan blamed lack of speed from the pace attack, pointing a finger at Shaheen Afridi, whose average speed was 132 kph, much below the pace of Bangladesh's Nahid Rana, who bowled around 145 kph on average.
Shan told the bowlers, ‘We failed to create pressure because of lack of speed, and that is alarming.' To this, Shaheen Afridi hit back by blaming the poor batting that failed to get a first innings lead and told the skipper to mind his own performance with the bat.”
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After 39-year-old left-arm spinner Noman Ali’s ordinary performance (1/80 and 3/76) in the first Test, Sajid Khan was called up for the second Test to save their pride on the Bangladesh tour.
Shan Masood says Pakistan will aim for domination on Day 1 in Sylhet
Shan Masood said at the toss, "We are going to have a bowl first. Look, there is grass covering, but there's weather around, and the pitch is unknown as well, so that's the reason we are bowling first. We have three changes—Khurram, Babar, and Sajid come into the team. In the World Test Championship, every game counts; we will look to do well on Day 1 and take it from there."
On the other hand, Bangladesh has also made two changes in Sylhet. Tanzid Hasan replaced Shadman Islam as opener, while Shoriful Islam came in for Ebadot Hossain.
Playing XIs for 2nd BAN vs PAK Test:
Pakistan Playing XI: Azan Awais, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Agha, Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Abbas
Bangladesh Playing XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanzid Hasan Tamim, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Nahid Rana
