In a surprising move, Pakistan has dropped star pacer Shaheen Afridi from their playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh. The decision comes after Afridi’s underwhelming performance in the first Test, where he struggled to contain the Bangladeshi batters.
Afridi’s omission is a significant blow to Pakistan, who are trailing 0-1 in the series. The left-arm quick has been one of the team’s most valuable assets in recent years, but his form has dipped noticeably in the past year.
New Test head coach Jason Gillespie expressed his disappointment with Afridi’s bowling in the first Test, citing a lack of discipline and accuracy. The decision to drop him has sparked debate among fans and experts, with some questioning the team’s management.
In place of Afridi, Pakistan have included spinner Abrar Ahmed in their final 12. The young leg-spinner has impressed in domestic cricket and could be a valuable addition to the team’s bowling attack.
The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on August 30.