Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi was one of the few promiment players to be dropped from the Test squad for remainder of three-Test series against England at home. Afridi who bagged just one wicket in the series opener at Multan Cricket Stadium did not find a place in the side as the selectors made a few harsh calls after the historic loss by an innings and 47 runs. A day after the announcement, on October 14, Afridi took to X and wished the Pakistan team ‘best of luck’ for the second Test at the same venue.
The 24-year-old wrote on X: “Wishing Team Pakistan the best of luck! Rooting for a strong comeback. We're all cheering for you!”
Afridi’s recent numbers
Before the Test series against England, Afridi wasn’t a part of the second Test as he was released from the squad to be with his wife and new-born child. Earlier, in the first Test against Bangladesh, he bagged a couple of wickets in the first innings. In Pakistan's Domestic Cup, he led Lions and claimed 9 wickets from four games.
He has a bowling average of 31.87 in Pakistan with 32 wickets from 10 Tests including one five-wicket haul.
Hasan backs Afridi to make comeback
On October 13, his out-of-favour teammate Hasan Ali had a message for him and other dropped players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Hasan wrote on X: “Tough times only make comebacks sweeter! My brothers, you're champions! You've done wonders for Pakistan and will continue do so. Keep believing and you'll be back stronger than ever, Inshallah!”
Afridi’s replacement
Mir Hamza is likely to replace him as the left-arm pacer in the second Test against England. Hamza was impressive with the new ball against Bangladesh. He got two wickets in first innings and one in the second. The 32-year-old would have got more had it not been for dropped catches.
Pakistan's Test squad:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mahmood.
