Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering resting Shaheen Shah Afridi for a portion of the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, adhering to their policy aimed at reducing the workload on key fast bowlers, as per The News on Tuesday.
Discussions are ongoing to safeguard the pacers from excessive strain while also assessing the form and fitness of emerging talents, the publication mentioned.
Moreover, the return of fast bowlers from injury increases the likelihood of their inclusion in the T20I series against the Kiwis.
There’s speculation that top fast bowlers like Shaheen might be given rest for either the initial matches or the entire series against New Zealand, commencing on April 18.
This decision follows PCB’s recent move to replace Shaheen as the T20I captain, reinstating Babar Azam. Shaheen purportedly expressed dissatisfaction with the board’s sudden decision to remove him from captaincy.
The players are presently undergoing fitness training at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul. Reports suggest Shaheen was surprised by the statement attributed to him by the board. Allegedly, Shaheen emphasized his obligation as a player to support Babar as captain and expressed concerns about not being consulted before such a statement was issued.
The decision to potentially sideline Shaheen in the T20I series is believed to be linked to his rejection of the statement. However, the final verdict will be based on his behavior leading up to the series.
