LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Akib Javed on Saturday responded to the ongoing speculation about the future of left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in the national men’s Test team.
Briefing the media at Pakistan’s pre-season red-ball camp at Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy (NCA), Akib was asked about reports that ODI captain Afridi will be dropped from the national Test set-up as the Green Shirts prepare for the West Indies tour.
Director High Performance PCB responded by saying “nothing is permanent”, hinting at a possible change in the national team’s think tank on Afridi’s use in formats.
Shaheen, who made his Test debut in December 2017, has so far represented Pakistan in 34 matches, in which he has conceded 3,545 runs in 1,114 overs and taken 126 wickets at an average of 28.13.
His most recent appearance in the longest format came against Bangladesh last month, which Pakistan lost by 104 runs.
For the uninitiated, the Pakistan management invited 22 players for the current pre-season red-ball camp, with Shaheen a notable omission. However, the 26-year-old, who is part of the 27-member white-ball squad, has been called to report to the camp on June 15.
Pakistan are currently enjoying a break of more than 50 days from international cricket following their third consecutive ODI series win against Australia. The Green Shirts won the low-scoring final ODI by four wickets to clinch the series.
The Green Shirts will return to action with a two-match Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago, scheduled from July 25 to August 6.
Players invited to Pakistan’s pre-season red-ball camp:
Ameer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Abrar Ahmed, Ali Usman, Amat Bhat, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Abbas, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Awais Jafar, Muhammad Ghajib Khan, Sajib Khan, Muhammad Ghajid Khan, Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shahjad Gul and Shaan Masood.