Shaheen Shah Afridi’s position in Pakistan’s Test cricket squad is under serious review, with the national selection committee and team management considering resting the ODI captain from the upcoming tours of the West Indies and England. This decision comes amid concerns over Afridi’s recent struggles with pace and rhythm after a demanding schedule across formats.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has advised Afridi to return to domestic first-class cricket to rebuild his bowling stamina and red-ball fitness before he can be reconsidered for Test selection. This move reflects growing apprehension within the management about his declining performance in the longest format.
Notably, Afridi’s physical condition has been questioned following Pakistan’s recent Test series against Bangladesh, where his bowling speed averaged only 134 kph, a significant drop from the 140-plus kph speeds that marked his early career. His recent statistics reveal a marked increase in his economy rate and a sharp decline in strike effectiveness over his last five Test matches.
Moreover, Afridi’s lack of preparation in red-ball cricket has raised concerns, as he has not participated in a proper domestic multi-day match for several years, focusing mainly on international fixtures and T20 leagues. This has contributed to doubts about his readiness for the rigors of Test cricket.
In a significant development, neither Afridi nor his regular new-ball partner Naseem Shah have been included in the ongoing National Cricket Academy (NCA) red-ball specialization camp in Lahore. Instead, both have been assigned to the white-ball training group, indicating a strategic decision to preserve their careers in limited-overs formats.
With Afridi likely to be rested from Test duties, selectors are keen to introduce new talent into Pakistan’s pace attack. Promising right-arm pacer Muhammad Ali, who has impressed in domestic competitions, along with U19 prospect Ubaid Shah, are strong candidates to be included in the squad for the upcoming overseas Test tours.
