Lahore: Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will not be available in the Test series against England, it has been decided to rest him instead of taking the risk of feeding him.
Haris Rauf has been agreed to make his Test debut. Along with Naseem Shah, Mohammad Abbas will be part of Pakistan’s pace battery.
According to the sources, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who suffered an injury again in the final, will undergo a full medical scan on his return home. In the light of the reports, a rehabilitation plan for the left-arm pacer will be prepared.
The team management has agreed to save Shaheen from a major injury and keep him out of the squad for the three-Test series against England scheduled from December 1 in view of the fast bowler’s future.
To fill his gap, Haris Rauf will be included in the team. In this regard, the team management and selection committee will be consulted after returning home. After which the regular team will be announced by next week.
Domestic spinner Abrar Ahmed is also likely to be included in the team. Experienced wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed is looking difficult to retain his place. Due to the home series, only one wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan was included in the 15-member squad.
The England Test team is scheduled to reach Islamabad on November 27 as per the previously announced program. On these same days, due to the possible long march of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the arrival schedule of the visiting team is also being re-evaluated. In this regard, the Pakistan Cricket Board is waiting for the government’s advance. According to plan B, the first Test can be played in Karachi, the second in Multan and the third Test again in Karachi.