(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Shaheen Afridi’s Omission Sparks Debate as PCB Leaves Him Out of Bangladesh T20I Series
The future of Shaheen Shah Afridi in Pakistan’s T20I setup has come under renewed scrutiny after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) left him out of the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series. The left-arm pacer’s exclusion has surprised many, especially given Pakistan’s ongoing search for consistent pace options.
Former Cricketer Questions PCB’s Decision
The decision to exclude Shaheen did not sit well with several figures in the cricketing community. Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali was among the first to speak out, expressing his disapproval on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), he posted:
“Why is he not in the team?”
The post included a photo of Shaheen and quickly gained traction among fans and analysts alike.
Shaheen, who last featured in a T20I earlier this year during Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand, has continued to be a hot commodity in T20 leagues worldwide. Despite a dip in recent international performances, the 25-year-old remains one of Pakistan’s most talented fast bowlers.
Questions Surrounding Fast Bowling Selections
What has added to the confusion is the current state of Pakistan’s fast bowling department. With Haris Rauf ruled out due to injury and both Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr. still recovering fitness, many expected Shaheen’s return.
Instead, the selectors opted for emerging talent, bringing in Ahmed Daniyal and Salman Mirza, while Abbas Afridi gets another opportunity to prove himself on the international stage.
Not All Hope Lost for Shaheen
While Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi have all missed out on selection for the Bangladesh series, they have been included in a training camp in Karachi ahead of the tour. This camp, taking place from July 9 to 15 at the National Bank Stadium, is being viewed as a preparatory platform for future series.
Their involvement in the camp suggests that while they are currently out of the playing XI, they remain very much in the PCB’s long-term plans.
Conclusion
Shaheen Afridi’s absence from the Bangladesh squad has reignited debate around Pakistan’s selection policy and player management. With several senior players attending the training camp, the door remains open for a comeback in upcoming series—possibly against the West Indies, if the scheduled ODIs are retained.
