Pakistan drop Shaheen Afridi for 2nd Test vs Bangladesh
What's the story
In a surprising move, Team Pakistan has dropped its leading pacer Shaheen Afridi for the second Test against Bangladesh. The match is scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi International Cricket Stadium on August 30. Abrar Ahmed is expected to replace Afridi in the team, as he was a part of the revised 12-man squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday.
Unexpected move
Afridi's exclusion surprises fans
Afridi's exclusion from the team comes as a shock to many, given his status as Pakistan's top fast bowler across all three formats in recent years. However, his off-field behavior and team performances have been under scrutiny lately. The decision to drop Afridi was made following Pakistan's historic 10-wicket defeat in the opening Test.
Outing
Afridi's outing in the second Test
Afridi had a hard time in the opening Test as he claimed 2/88 across 30 overs in the first innings before bowling two wicket-less overs in his other outing. Number eight Mehidy Hasan Miraz and number nine Hasan Mahmud were his victims. Overall, Shaheen has 115 wickets from 30 Tests at 27.08. The tally includes four fifers.
Squad changes
New additions to Pakistan's squad for second Test
Alongside Ahmed, batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Aamir Jamal have been added to Pakistan's team for the second Test. However, Jamal's participation is contingent on his fitness levels. This reshuffling of the team follows Pakistan's unprecedented loss to Bangladesh in their first-ever Test match. Pakistan's squad for 2nd Test: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Naseem Shah, and Khurram Shahzad.