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Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s young pace spearhead, is set to face disciplinary action from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and will likely be dropped from the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh next month.
Heated Exchange with Batting Coach Prompts Action
Multiple reports, including cricketpakistan.com.pk, reveal that Afridi’s punishment stems from a heated argument with batting coach Mohammad Yousuf during the recent tour of England. The incident reportedly involved Afridi insulting the veteran batsman, although he later apologized.
However, the PCB, led by chairman Mohsin Naqvi, took the matter seriously, particularly in light of a report from head coach Gary Kirsten highlighting Afridi’s misconduct off the field.
Loss of Captaincy Preceded Recent Controversy
This latest development comes on the heels of Afridi’s removal as Pakistan’s T20I captain before the T20 World Cup 2024. Following a challenging stint as captain, which included a poor two-match series and a disappointing PSL 2024 campaign, the captaincy was handed back to Babar Azam. However, Azam’s return to the leadership role hasn’t yielded significant results either.
Uncertain Future for White-Ball Cricket
While Shan Masood’s position as Test captain appears secure, the PCB’s decision regarding Afridi and Azam’s roles in white-ball cricket remains unclear. The board will likely announce its plans for the white-ball teams in the coming weeks, with both players’ recent performances and disciplinary issues potentially impacting their selection.
Fans Left Wondering
Pakistan cricket fans will be closely watching the PCB’s decisions, hoping for a clear direction for the national team, particularly regarding leadership and team culture.
Afridi’s absence from the Bangladesh Tests will be a significant blow to the bowling attack, and his future role in the team will be a topic of much discussion in the coming days.
