New Delhi: Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is reportedly said to have requested the Pakistan team management to not include him for the upcoming two-match Test series against South Africa. The left-arm quick’s absence from the 15-member squad led by Shan Masood created speculations that his time with the Test team was over after being dropped from the team in the middle of the home Test series against England in October.
According to a report by news agency PTI, one of the source privy to the selection matter said that Shaheen was the one himself to ask the selectors to not pick him for the Test matches in the rainbow nation as he wanted to be 100 per cent match fit for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, scheduled in the February-March window.
“The truth is Shaheen himself requested he not be considered for Test matches until the Champions Trophy is over,” a source said, as quoted by PTI.
The source further mentioned that the Pakistan pacer had informed the selectors about receiving the lucrative offer to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL), which is scheduled from December 30, 2024, to February 7, 2025.
“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,” the source added.
The Pakistan cricket team is set to play four straight Test matches – two against South Africa away and two against the West Indies at home – to complete their World Test Championship Cycle (WTC). Shaheen has also requested the selectors to not consider him for Test matches until the completion of the Champions Trophy, which Pakistan will host in a hybrid model.
Pakistan recently swept the three-match ODI series against South Africa 3-0. Shaheen picked the most wickets (seven) across both teams to play an instrumental role with the ball.
Shaheen Afridi will miss the upcoming two-Test series against South Africa. He reportedly requested exclusion to prioritize fitness for the 2025 Champions Trophy and due to a lucrative Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) contract. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
