Shaheen Afridi's Test Career On The Brink Of Collapse After Shocking Snub

Karachi, Jan 12 (PTI) The future of Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in red-ball cricket has come under a cloud after he was excluded from the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, leaving many to wonder if this spells the end of his career in the longest format of the game.

Shaheen, who has been a vital cog in Pakistan’s Test setup, has been struggling with his form and fitness, and the selectors have decided to drop him from the squad, citing the need to give young blood a chance to prove themselves.

The 22-year-old pacer, who has taken 99 wickets in 25 Tests at an average of 25.28, has been struggling with a knee injury that has kept him out of action for several months. Despite his impressive record, Shaheen’s recent performances have been underwhelming, and the selectors have decided to look beyond him for the Bangladesh series.

The decision to axe Shaheen has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, with many experts and fans expressing their disappointment and frustration on social media. While some have praised the selectors for taking a bold decision, others have questioned the wisdom of dropping a player who has been a key member of the team.

However, the writing has been on the wall for Shaheen, who has been struggling to regain his form and fitness after a string of injuries. The pacer, who made his Test debut in 2018, has been one of the most promising young fast bowlers in the world, but his career has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent performances.

The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh will be a crucial one for Pakistan, who are looking to regain their footing in the ICC Test rankings. The series, which will be played in Bangladesh, will be a challenging one for the visitors, who will have to contend with the hostile conditions and a determined home team.

While Shaheen’s exclusion is a setback for Pakistan, the team has a number of young and talented fast bowlers who will be looking to make a name for themselves in the series. The likes of Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, and Shaheen’s younger brother, Riaz Afridi, will be looking to take advantage of the opportunity and stake their claim for a regular spot in the team.

As for Shaheen, the road to redemption will be long and arduous. The pacer will have to work hard to regain his form and fitness, and will have to prove himself in domestic cricket before he can even think of making a comeback to the national team. It remains to be seen if Shaheen will be able to revive his career, but one thing is certain - the young pacer has a long and difficult journey ahead of him.