• Source:PTI
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In the wake of a serious rib cage injury to Khurrum Shahzad during the opening Test against Australia in Perth, the Pakistan cricket team is contemplating a strategic move to rest their pace spearhead, Shaheen Shah Afridi, for the third and final Test in Sydney as per reports. This decision is driven by the need to effectively manage Afridi's workload and comes in the aftermath of criticism directed at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the handling of Shahzad's injury.

Debutant Shahzad, who impressed with a five-wicket haul in Perth, suffered an unfortunate injury that ruled him out of both the Melbourne and Sydney Tests. This setback has prompted the team management to reassess their approach to managing the workload of their pace bowlers, with a particular focus on Afridi.

The source suggests that if Pakistan faces another defeat in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Afridi may be rested for the final game in Sydney. The objective is to keep him fresh and in prime condition for the crucial T20I series in New Zealand, which is seen as integral to their preparations for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.

The handling of Shahzad's workload and Afridi's relatively subdued performance in Perth have triggered concerns within the team management and selectors. The source mentioned that discussions regarding Afridi's case have taken place with PCB chief Zaka Ashraf, indicating a collaborative effort to make informed decisions regarding player fitness and readiness.

Also Read: Khurram Shahzad ruled out of PAK vs AUS series

The significance of managing workload becomes even more apparent considering Pakistan is already without key pacers, Naseem Shah and Ehsanullah, both recovering from surgeries, and Muhammad Hasnain nursing an ankle injury. The absence of spinner Abrar Ahmed and Shahzad further adds to the team's bowling woes since arriving in Australia.

In addition to the bowling concerns, there are talks of experimenting with a new opening combination during the T20I series in New Zealand. The team management is reportedly considering pairing Saim Ayub with the experienced Babar Azam, signaling a potential shift in the batting order.

The intricate dynamics of team selection and workload management in cricket are evident in these decisions. With the T20 World Cup looming less than six months away, Pakistan faces the challenge of balancing immediate performance goals with the long-term fitness and preparedness of their key players.

 

Inputs from PTI