Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) move to rest their premier fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, for the upcoming Test series against South Africa. The PCB claimed they wanted to manage the left-arm pacer’s workload to ensure he’s at his best mentally and physically for their home tournament, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
What workload management, says Shaheen Afridi
Shaheen doesn’t feel like he needs rest and has therefore signed up to play in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) 2024-25 season. He’s joined defending champions Fortune Barishal for the 11th edition of the league. The PCB, who said it was a strategic decision to rest him, has granted Shaheen an NOC (No Objection Certificate).
“Pakistani left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will play for Fortune Barishal in the upcoming BPL,” Fortune Barishal said in a statement.
He’ll be in action from December 30 to January 15, playing five matches, including the BPL 2024-25 opener against Durbar Rajshahi. The South Africa vs Pakistan Test series will kick off on December 26 and will end on January 7. This means that he wasn’t rested but rather dropped by the PCB.
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Fortune Barishal squad for BPL 2024-25
Shaheen Afridi, Kyle Mayers, Dawid Malan, Mohammad Nabi, Faheem Ashraf, Ali Mohammad, Jahandad Khan, James Fuller, Pathum Nissanka, Nandre Burger, Tamim Iqbal, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mahmudullah Riyad, Tanvir Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Ripon Mondol, Ebadot Hossain, Nayeem Hasan, Rishad Hossain, Taijul Islam.
