Rawalpindi, 29 August 2024 (TDI): Pakistan team management has dropped out-of-form fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for the second Test against Bangladesh starting tomorrow (Friday) in Rawalpindi.
Afridi was not included in the 12-man squad announced on the eve of the second Test. The two players added to the squad are fast bowler Mir Hamza, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Speaking about Shaheen’s exclusion during the pre-match press conference, head coach Jason Gillespie said Afridi was “working on a few things” to ensure his effectiveness.
Read More: Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Tests Announced
He further said that Pakistan announced 12-man squad instead of 11 because they were unsure about the pitch.
“He’s working really well with Azhar Mahmood,” he said. Gillespie added that he wanted Shaheen to be at his best as Pakistan had a lot of cricket coming and Shaheen would play a huge role in that.
Shaheen has been struggling of late – especially in red ball cricket. He averaged 41 in Australia in the recent Australia tour and took only two wickets of tail-enders in the first Bangladesh Test.
Read More: Bangladesh Beat Pakistan by 10 Wickets in Rawalpindi Test
His pace, which ranged around mid-140s earlier in his career, has also dropped significantly after the injury last year.
Gillespie said he wanted to add bowlers in the squad who could take 20 wickets.
Pakistan bowlers failed miserably in the opening Test, as they conceded 565 runs in the first Bangladesh innings.
Resultantly, the hosts lost the game by 10 wickets, handing Bangladesh their first ever win over Pakistan in Test cricket.
The national team needs to win the second match two draw the series.
