Shaheen Shah Afridi, one of Pakistan’s most talented and talked-about cricketers, recently found himself amidst a storm of controversy. The left-arm pacer, celebrated for his exceptional performances on the field, faces challenges that may significantly impact his career trajectory. While his on-field performance remains exemplary, including a dominant display in the ODI series against South Africa, his exclusion from Pakistan’s Test squad and subsequent participation in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) have sparked widespread discussions.
The Test Squad Exclusion Controversy
Few bowlers can make an impact as Shaheen does in the opening overs of any format. His remarkable performance in the ODI series against South Africa—where he scalped seven crucial wickets—underscores his ability to lead the bowling attack. Additionally, his growing reputation as a reliable T20 bowler has added to his credentials.
Shaheen’s knack for picking early wickets often tilts the game in his team’s favor. With his eye on the record for the most wickets in T20 opening overs, his approach is a textbook case of aggressive and intelligent bowling.
The controversy background
The issue began when a selector reportedly instructed Shaheen to participate in a four-day warm-up match as part of preparations for the South Africa Test series. Shaheen declined, which was termed “disobedience.” Interestingly, Babar Azam also turned down a similar directive but faced no repercussions. This selective handling raised questions about fairness in team management.
PCB’s response
The PCB justified Shaheen’s exclusion under the pretext of “workload management.” However, skeptics argue that this was a convenient excuse to mask the disciplinary dispute.
Shaheen’s Move to the BPL
Shaheen’s participation in the BPL marked a significant shift in his immediate cricketing focus. Brought into Fortune Barishal by Tamim Iqbal, Shaheen expressed excitement about performing in Bangladesh.
“Sorry for that, can we just question the Bangladesh league,” Shaheen told reporters when his attention was drawn regarding the recent controversy. “I am fit (to play across formats) and that’s why I’m here (to play BPL),” he added.
Shaheen added, “Really excited to play in BPL of course. When Tamim Bhai called me for this team, I was really excited and looking forward to it. I know the Bangladeshi people, they love cricket, they love the superstars and I hope I perform well here. As far as I’ve watched, BPL is a very good. I hope there’s a lot to learn for us as well. When we come from Pakistan, we hope we play good cricket here. I know there are lots of Pakistani cricketers here. Let’s see how the cricket goes, then I can compare (with other T20 leagues).”
On the Cusp of a T20 Record
As he eyes the milestone for most opening-over wickets in T20 cricket, Shaheen has showcased his consistency and adaptability. His focus on “hitting the right areas” exemplifies the technical precision that sets him apart.
Shaheen said, “Actually I’m not trying to break the records or make a record. I’m just simply trying to hit my right areas in T20 cricket. You know, T20 cricket’s wicket is too good for batting and so just trying to mix up using my variation and just trying to hit my good areas. For me it’s usual. Batters try to take on bowlers, you know to disturb the bowler. As a bowler, when you take a wicket early, the whole batting unit will be disturbed because the middle order can’t face the new ball easily. That’s the approach I have – to take a wicket with the new ball. If not, then use my variation.”
For Shaheen, resilience and performance are key to reclaiming his Test spot. Pakistan cricket, too, must prioritize balanced and transparent decisions to maintain harmony within the squad.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
