Shaheen Afridi was notably absent from Pakistan’s playing XI for the second and final Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. The decision to leave out the left-arm pacer has reportedly left him shocked and heartbroken, fueling perceptions of unfair treatment by the team management.
Following Pakistan’s 10-wicket defeat in the series opener against Bangladesh, media reports suggested that senior players and some team management members attributed the loss to Afridi’s underwhelming performance. Despite the grassy conditions on Day 1, which were expected to favor his bowling style, Afridi managed to take only two wickets, both of which were lower-order batsmen. His overall figures were 2 for 96, raising concerns about his effectiveness.
A significant drop in Afridi’s pace has also been a talking point. Known for consistently bowling in the mid-140 kmph range, Afridi’s speed has noticeably decreased since he recovered from an injury last year. This decline has led to questions about his current form and fitness, potentially influencing the decision to leave him out of the team.
While Pakistan’s head coach Jason Gillespie did not explicitly state that Afridi was “dropped,” he did mention that the bowler was “working on some things” to improve his performance. This comment suggests that the decision may have been made with an eye on long-term improvements in Afridi’s bowling rather than an immediate reaction to his recent form.
