Why Afridi in BPL after skipping Test in South Africa

Why Afridi in BPL after skipping Test in South Africa

Many are surprised that Shaheen Shah Afridi is not in Pakistan's Test squad for the South Africa tour.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was dropped from the Test team after the first match in the England series last October. He was not in form then! But now?

This Shaheen Shah Afridi is the highest wicket-taker in the ODI series. He took 7 wickets on the way to whitewashing South Africa. Earlier, he took 8 wickets in the ODI series against Australia.

So? The PCB said it was about workload management. However, instead of playing Tests, this pacer will play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) at the same time. Perhaps after hearing that news, former coach Mickey Arthur said - if Shaheen Shah Afrid is not bowled in South Africa, where else will he be made to bowl?

Mickey Arthur has a reason to raise the question. Because, the two Tests of the Test series starting tomorrow will be held, where the pacers have historically been dominant. There is no spinner in the top 10 Test wicket-takers at Centurion, the venue of the first Test tomorrow. Dale Steyn has the highest wicket, 59.
Shaheen Shah Afridi is back in rhythm

The second highest wicket-taker is Kagiso Rabada. Pakistan will play the second Test in the South Africa series in Cape Town. The wicket where the pacers have historically dominated. All the top 5 wicket-takers here are pacers. Not Multan-Rawalpindi, this is the best place for Afridi to bowl!

That is why Arthur expressed his disappointment 'I can't believe it. If he doesn't bowl in South Africa, where will he bowl? It can be called the best place in the world to bowl. I know you have Mir Hamza, but Shaheen Shah Afrid is a match winner.’

(Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afrid however, will only be able to play for Barisal in their first five matches in the BPL. The Pakistan Cricket Board has allowed him to play until January 15 next year. )

Shaheen Shah Afrid will play for Fortune Barisal in the BPL. This year’s BPL will start on December 30. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afrid, however, will only be able to play for Barisal in their first five matches in the BPL. The Pakistan Cricket Board has allowed him to play until January 15 next year. The BPL is scheduled to end on February 7. Pakistan will play another Test against the West Indies from January 15. Afridi will not be in this series either.

The PCB said that they want Shaheen Shah Afrid to be fully fit for the Champions Trophy. That is why he was kept away from the Tests. However, at the same time, questions are being raised about Afridi’s BPL play again.

Although the matter can be seen differently. Shaheen Shah Afrid will have to bowl a maximum of only 20 overs in 5 matches in the BPL. If he had played Tests, he would have had to do it in one innings. Maybe the PCB is not thinking about him in Tests for now to relieve Shaheen Shah Afrid from the pressure of a long spell. And what's wrong with him not being completely away from the game but being in the BPL matches!

The Champions Trophy will start on February 19. Before that, Pakistan will play a tri-nation series at home from February 8. New Zealand and South Africa will play Pakistan in this series.