(Image source: X.com)
[Saba Sports News] Pakistan fast-bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi could be rested for the third Test match of the ongoing series versus Australia, scheduled to commence in Sydney on January 3.
Pakistan are already 0-1 down in the series, losing the first Test to Australia by 360 runs. Their debutant Khurram Shahzad, who took five wickets across both the innings, has been ruled out of the series due to a rib stress fracture and an abdominal muscle tear.
If Pakistan get defeated in the second Test match as well, Shaheen could get a break from participating in the final fixture of the series.
As Pakistan are scheduled to face New Zealand in five T20Is immediately after the Australia tour, the PCB want to keep Shaheen fresh for that assignment, having their eye on the T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in June-July.
“The backlash the board and management is facing over the handling of Khurram’s workload has set off panic buttons, plus the form of Shaheen has added to the concerns of the team management and selectors,” a source privy to the development said as quoted.
“It is in the pipeline that if Shaheen doesn’t do well in Melbourne Test and the team ends up on the losing side, he will be rested for the final Test so that he is fresh for the T20I series in New Zealand,” he added.
Moreover, Shaheen did not fare well in the opening Test. He claimed a wicket each in both the innings as the two debutants, Aamer Jamal and Shahzad, had to make up for his poor outing with the ball.
The second Test will begin on December 26 in Melbourne.