The Pakistan squad management has dropped bowler Shaheen Afridi from the second Test against Bangladesh, which will begin on August 30 (tomorrow) at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
In a press conference on Thursday, Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie confirmed the team’s 12-member selection for the second Test, revealing Shaheen’s exclusion from the match.
The news comes as the Shan Masood-led team attempts to even the two-match series after losing the first Test, in which visitors smashed through the Green Shirts’ batting line on day five to earn their first-ever Test victory against Pakistan.
The national team was bowled out for 146 in the second innings, following which Bangladeshi openers Zakir Hasan (15*) and Shadman Islam (9*) glided over the 30-run target set by Shan Masood’s side in 6.3 overs.
It is worth noting that the left-arm bowler has only taken 16 wickets in 10 innings since his return from a knee injury in July 2023.
“Shaheen is focusing on various aspects of his bowling to make it as successful as possible. He plays three forms for Pakistan. He also recently became a father, and we want him to spend time with his family,” Gillespie explained.
His statements are in reference to the pacer’s recent birth of his first child last week.
