Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi bowls during the third day of the first Test against England at the Multan Cricket Stadium on October 09, 2024 in Multan, Pakistan. – AFP

LAHORE: Veteran spinner Noaman Ali has reportedly been ruled out of Pakistan’s long-term Test plans, while fast bowler Naseem Shah has also not been considered for red-ball selection due to concerns over his work ethic, sources said. Jio News On Wednesday.

With a clear focus on building a young spin field for the future, the national selection think tank has made steady progress in reshaping the side’s red-ball strategy.

As a result, the 40-year-old has been left out of the immediate and long-term planning framework, and his recent absence from red-ball training camp was part of that decision.

Abrar Ahmed and Sajid Khan are expected to be the preferred spin options for Pakistan’s next five Tests.

Noman last featured for Pakistan in the Test series against Bangladesh in Dhaka in May, where he took four wickets before being dropped in the second Test in Sylhet.

Meanwhile, sources indicate that the team management is not fully satisfied with Naseem Shah’s work ethic since Pakistan’s ongoing red ball considerations.

Like fellow fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem is believed to be out of the team’s immediate Test plans.

The right-arm pacer has reportedly been advised to focus on first-class cricket in the upcoming domestic season to strengthen his case for a Test return.

He made his most recent appearance against South Africa at Centurion in December 2024, after which he has been out of selection reckoning as management reconsiders its long-term direction.

Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced a 22-man squad for the red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which began earlier this week and will continue till July 10.

The national team will play a two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to 29 and August 2 to 6.

Sohail Imran

Sohail Imran is a Senior Correspondent at Geo News.

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