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Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi might be rested in the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney to avoid workload, especially after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) faced criticism due to Khurrum Shahzad's serious rib cage injury.
After losing the opening Test in Perth by 360 runs, where debutant Shahzad took five wickets but also sustained an injury, he was ruled out of the subsequent Melbourne (December 26) and Sydney (January 3) Tests.
Afridi claimed only two wickets in the Perth Test. If the visitors also lose the Boxing Day Test then he will be rested for the third Test in Sydney to preserve his energy for the crucial T20I series against New Zealand.
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A source said that the team management is focused on handling the workload of the pace bowlers, especially Afridi. This is crucial as the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA is less than six months away, and the series against the Blackcaps is seen as crucial for their preparations.
"The backlash the board and management are facing over the handling of Khurram's workload has set off panic buttons, plus the form of Shaheen has added to the concerns of the team management and selectors," the source said.
The source added that team officials and selectors had discussed Afridi's case with PCB chief Zaka Ashraf.
"It is in the pipeline that if Shaheen doesn't do well in Melbourne Test and the team ends up on the losing side, he will be rested for the final Test so that he is fresh for the T20I series in New Zealand," the source said.
Pakistan are currently without key pacer Naseem Shah, who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Ihsanullah is undergoing rehabilitation following an elbow surgery, and Mohammad Hasnain is dealing with an ankle injury.
Two key bowlers Abrar Ahmed and Shahzad have been sidelined by Pakistan since they arrived in Australia.
There are discussions within the team management about experimenting with a new opening duo, consisting of Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, in the upcoming T20I series in New Zealand.
Babar, who has been partnering with Mohammad Rizwan at the opening in T20Is for the past two to three years, has been informed to be prepared for a new opening partner.
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