The Pakistan cricket team might be going through a tectonic change right now. It seems the selectors don’t have enough trust on Shaheen Shah Afridi anymore, and won’t be included in the Test series against West Indies next month. In fact, it is expected that Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah and Noman Ali could be axed too.
No Shaheen & Naseem in PAK squad for WI tour
As per a report in PTI, Aaqib Javed seems to have revealed the probable squad to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Monday, who in turn has given him a free hand, to make any decisions in the interest of the PAK side. “Muhammad Abbas, 36, Muhammad Ali 33, Khurrum Shehzad, 27, and uncapped Ubaid Shah will be leading the pace attack in the upcoming series with Aamer Jamal, 29, included as the pace-bowling all-rounder,” the source said.
For the record, Shaheen Shah Afridi is Pakistan’s most experienced bowler at present, picking up 126 wickets in 34 Tests at an average of 28.13. On the other hand, Naseem has played 20 matches, and has only 60 wickets to his name. For some time now, both these bowlers have faced their share of injuries.
1st Test from July 25
Ali and Abbas are both playing in England currently, and will join the squad before the series starts. The 1st Test is to place at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad, while the second will be played in Port of Spain, Trinidad, from August 2. This shift is not alone in just the Test side.
The Pakistani selectors have picked a revamped team for the Asian Games in Japan this year. Now, after a nod of approval by Naqvi, the squad will be announced formally, soon. As per the source, the selectors could be tempted to rope in young talent Arafat Minhas. To add to that, a 17-member squad could be announced, instead of 15, given a long tour, followed by a three-Test England series in August-September.
