NEW DELHI: With the negative reaction the
Pakistan
Cricket Board (
PCB
) received after Khurrum Shahzad suffered a significant rib cage injury, pace spearhead
Shaheen Shah Afridi
may be sidelined for the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney in order to control his workload.
Pakistan lost the first Test by 360 runs in Perth, despite debutant Shahzad capturing five wickets.
However, during the match, he sustained an injury that can prevent him from playing in the subsequent Tests in Melbourne on December 26 and Sydney on January 3.
Afridi, Pakistan's strike bowler, only claimed two wickets during the Perth Test. If the visitors lose the Boxing Day Test as well, it is anticipated that he will be rested for the third Test in Sydney to preserve his energy for the vital T20I series against New Zealand.
According to a source, the team management wants to control the fast bowlers' workload, particularly Afridi, because the series against the Blackcaps will be essential to their preparation for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA, which is less than six months away.
"The backlash the board and management is facing over the handling of Khurrum's workload has set off panic buttons, plus the form of Shaheen has added to the concerns of the team management and selectors," the source said.
The source went on to say that
Zaka Ashraf
, the head of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), had spoken with team officials and selectors about Afridi's situation.
"It is in the pipeline that if Shaheen doesn't do well in Melbourne Test and the team ends up on the losing side, he will be rested for the final Test so that he is fresh for the T20I series in New Zealand," the source said.
Pacer
Naseem Shah
is already out of action for Pakistan as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
Muhammad Hasnain
is tending to an ankle issue, while Ehsanullah is recovering from elbow surgery.
Spinner
Abrar Ahmed
and Khurrum are two bowlers that Pakistan has lost since coming to Australia.
During the T20I series in New Zealand, there are rumors that the team management may test out a new starting combination of
Saim Ayub
and
Babar Azam
. For the past two to three years, Babar has opened in T20 matches alongside
Muhammad Rizwan
. He has been advised to be ready for a new opening partner.
(With PTI inputs)
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