Image: Shaheen Afridi's exclusion from recent Test series sparked controversy / © National Herald
After being dropped from the Test squad against South Africa, Shaheen Afridi’s absence has sparked widespread debate. A key figure in Pakistan’s bowling lineup, Afridi has been pivotal for the team’s success. However, his exclusion from the South Africa Tests and the upcoming West Indies series raised eyebrows.
During the PSL draft held at Lahore Fort on January 13, Afridi sarcastically reacted to a reporter’s question about being “rested,” saying, “I was given rest? That’s a good question.” His comment hinted at his disagreement with the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) decision.
Afridi last played a Test in August 2024 against England, but despite the return of key players like Babar Azam and Naseem Shah for the subsequent series, Afridi remained sidelined.
The PCB cited workload management as the reason, but fans and experts questioned the justification. After diverting the topic to PSL, he said:
See, Alhamdulillah, we have won 2 seasons. If you look at it, the local players of PDB have performed very well. When your local players perform well, the team wins. There are ups and downs. You lose and win the match. I think if we remember the positive things more, it will be good for our team. Since Darren Gough has come, hopefully, as a bowler, we will also learn more things. Sameen Bhai can tell us a lot about him. So, I feel the combination is very good.
Afridi now shifts focus to captaining Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2025, which runs from April 8 to May 19. As debates over his omission continue, Afridi’s performance in PSL will be closely watched by fans eager to see his return to form.