Will Shaheen Afridi retire from Tests? Pacer focuses attention on white ball cricket
first pakistani, Shaheen Afridishocked the cricketing world by choosing to stay away from Test cricket ahead of the two-match Test series in South Africa. Shaheen Afridi is also likely to miss the upcoming Test series against the West Indies, according to reports.
Shaheen Shah Afridi was Pakistan’s standout bowler in their recent ODI series against South Africa, taking seven wickets to help his side secure a 3-0 win over the rainbow nation.
Shaheen Afridi takes a break from Test cricket to stay fit for ICC Champions Trophy 2025
However, the 24-year-old pacer is not included in the Test squad for the upcoming two-match series in South Africa, starting on December 26 at the SuperSport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion.
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Pakistan cricket team interim senior selector and head coach Aaqib Javed said Shaheen Afridi’s workload is being carefully managed to ensure he remains fresh for the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025, and was therefore rested for the South Africa Test series.
But media reports claimed that the left-arm pacer himself has asked for a break from Test cricket. Shaheen Afridi has reportedly asked the team management and national selectors not to consider him for Test matches in the coming months, citing workload management.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will skip Tests till Champions Trophy 2025 ends
The Pakistani star wants to be in top form for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 scheduled for February-March, hence he doesn’t want to get involved in Test cricket, instead focusing on T20 cricket to manage your workload and be fully prepared. for the mega event.
PTI quoted a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) source as saying, “The truth is that Shaheen himself asked not to be considered for Test matches until the Champions Trophy is over.”
Also, Afridi has reportedly informed the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan cricket team management about a lucrative offer he received from a Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) franchise.
The star has assured the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team management that he would manage his workload during the BPL 2024-25, which will be played from December 30 to February 7.
The source further added: “He assured management and the board that the money was very good and that he would look after his fitness and workload during the event, so he should be allow to play in the league”.
Shaheen Afridi will be available for selection for the ODI Tri-series against South Africa and New Zealand
Afridi, who will now miss the four Tests against South Africa and the West Indies during the 2024-25 BPL participation, assured the PCB and the Pakistan team management that he will be fully fit for the upcoming ODIs in three series against new zealand and South Africa ahead of the mega event.
The source added: “Shaheen said he would be fully fit in time for the tri-series ODIs against New Zealand and South Africa, followed by the Champions Trophy at home. Shaheen told Aaqib that he may be selected for the tests after the Champions Trophy has been completed.”
Notably, Pakistan are no longer in the running for the 2023-25 ​​World Test Championship (WTC) final. However, if South Africa win either of the next two Tests against Pakistan, they will qualify for the final of the 2023-25 ​​WTC, which will be held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in June 2025.
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