Pakistan’s star pacer, Shaheen Afridi, might be sidelined for the first two matches of the upcoming five-match Pakistan T20I series against New Zealand, according to Geo News sources on Monday.
This decision to rest Shaheen aligns with Pakistan’s T20I rotation policy, prioritizing player workload management ahead of the crucial T20 World Cup 2024 later this year. Afridi might skip the initial T20Is in Rawalpindi but should return for the final three matches of the series.
This news follows the recent replacement of Shaheen Afridi as the T20I captain by Babar Azam. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) cited this move as a strategic measure to optimize player well-being and peak performance.
The PCB has emphasized the importance of player rotation and rest, particularly for Shaheen, to maintain his bowling prowess. This strategy reflects their commitment to safeguarding player longevity, especially fast bowlers, who have faced concerning injury trends in recent years.
By implementing this workload management approach, the PCB aims to ensure Pakistan’s key bowlers remain in top form. This strategy aims to prevent injury crises leading up to major tournaments like the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023.
With the New Zealand squad already in Islamabad as of Sunday, the Pakistan team has also assembled in the capital after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays. Cricket fans will be curious to see how Pakistan compensates for Shaheen’s absence in the initial matches.
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