Reason Beckoned: Shaheen Shah Afridi's Absence from Pakistan's XI in the T20I Series Final Against West Indies
Pakistan Rests Shaheen Shah Afridi for Third T20I Against West Indies
In an unexpected move, Pakistan decided to rest star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the third T20I against the West Indies, a decision that was made public by captain Salman Ali Agha during the toss. The third match was played less than 24 hours after the second T20I, making the rest a tactical decision given the compressed schedule.
Agha explained that Afridi was "rested" for the third T20I, a decision that raised some eyebrows given the crucial nature of the match. Resting a key bowler for a series-deciding game, especially when he had been playing regularly, is not a common practice in cricket.
Despite the lack of official controversy, the decision was perceived as questionable by many observers. Resting a frontline bowler during a crucial decider is unusual, especially given Afridi's importance to the team and his impressive performance in the earlier matches of the series. Afridi had taken the new ball in the first two T20Is against the West Indies, finishing with 1-27 and 1-31.
It is worth noting that Afridi had been dropped from Pakistan's last two T20I series, both against Bangladesh. However, he was recalled for the West Indies T20Is, possibly with an eye on the Asia Cup later this year.
In Afridi's absence, Khushdil Shah replaced an injured Fakhar Zaman in the third T20I. The decision paid off as Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub starred with a 138-run opening partnership, helping Pakistan win the match and the series 2-1.
The West Indies were restricted to 176-6 in the third T20I, 13 runs short of their target. The Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement denying any rumours of an altercation between captain Agha and Afridi during a training session ahead of the series, calling them a "calculated and reprehensible attempt to undermine the cohesion, morale, and reputation of the Pakistan national team."
Despite the controversy, the rest of the series was played in a competitive and sportsmanlike manner, with both teams showing their mettle on the field. The decision to rest Afridi will undoubtedly be a topic of discussion among cricket analysts and fans, but the focus now shifts to the next matches for both teams.
Cricket news highlighted the unexpected rest of star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the third T20I against West Indies, a move considered unusual given the crucial nature of the match and Afridi's impressive performance in the series. Despite Afridi's absence, Pakistan managed to win the match and the series, showcasing the depth of their talent in sports.
