Image: Shaheen Afridi has been rested from Pakistan's Test series for workload management / © Hindustan Times
Pakistan fans are quite upset with their star pacer Shaheen Afridi, who has opted out of the Test series against South Africa for workload management but signed up to play in the upcoming Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) granted Afridi a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) to join Fortune Barishal, the reigning BPL champions. The decision has sparked criticism, as fans and experts question the logic of resting Afridi from national duty while allowing him to participate in franchise cricket.
Afridi will play alongside top names such as Tamim Iqbal, Mushfiqur Rahim, and Dawid Malan in the BPL, with the tournament set to begin on December 30. His absence from the Test squad was justified by interim coach Aqib Javed as a strategic move to keep him fresh for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. However, many find this explanation contradictory, considering his BPL involvement.
Afridi is currently featuring in Pakistan’s ongoing ODI series against South Africa. In the first ODI, he took 1/46, including the crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, helping Pakistan secure a three-wicket win. Fans now await his performance in the remaining ODIs while debating the impact of his absence on Pakistan’s Test team.