RAWALPINDI, Aug 29: After facing criticism for heavy defeat in the series-opener, Pakistan on Thursday dropped left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from the must-win second Test against Bangladesh, a move which is being seen as beginning of the changes required to make Pakistan cricket better.
Pakistan’s team combination, in which they fielded four pacers, also invited sharp criticism from former players, who felt that playing with two spinners was a better option.
Head coach Jason Gillispie said Shaheen understands the “situation” and the break will give him quality time with his family.
“We had a good conversation with him, and he fully understands we are looking at the best combination for this game, and the last few weeks have been interesting for him with fatherhood and other things. This break will allow him to spend time with his family,” Gillispie said during the pre-match press conference.
The former Australian pacer said Shaheen is working with Azhar Mahmood to be more effective, and the management certainly wants to see him at his very best as there is a lot of cricket coming up.
“Right now, we feel we have all bases covered in our bowling attack,” he said.
Shaheen has played just six Tests since July 2022 owing to a knee injury. He was rested for the final Test against Australia at Sydney in January this year.
The axing of Shaheen is also a clear indication that the wheels of change are finally in motion in Pakistan cricket, with players now required to justify their price tags.
For the last few years, whenever a senior player has not played, the announcement has been “he has been rested” as per our rotation policy.
Insiders close to the team and in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that slowly, the changes were happening.
“Shaheen will not be the first and only senior player to be axed for performances; others will follow if they don’t perform,” an insider claimed.
Another source said that Gillispie, in particular, had told PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to give him some time to spend with the team before he reached his conclusions on how to move forward.
“Even the appointment of Saud Shakeel as vice-captain has been done in case captain Shan Masood has to be sidelined for failing to get out of his bad run of form,” he said.
The insider said that Naqvi had decided to allow the coaches to call the shots and, at the same time, make policies beneficial to Pakistan cricket in the long run.
“Which is why all the players have been told to play in the Champions Cup 50-over tournament next month after the Bangladesh series. A message has been conveyed to players to first confirm if they are required for Pakistan duty before entering into any contract in a foreign league and then seeking NOCs,” he said.
Gillispie also confirmed that all-rounder Aamer Jamal was still not fit to play for Pakistan and was ruled out of the match. He also stressed the need for the Pakistan team to make better decisions over slow over rates.
“Everything aside, including allowances for weather and breaks, we need to be better to get through overs better.”
Pakistan were fined 30 per cent of match fees and docked points in the World Test Championship for slow over rates in the first Test that it lost by 10 wickets.
“We can control our energy levels to make sure we are going through our overs quickly.”
Gillispie said he was pleased with the positive intent shown by the team in the first Test with a bold declaration in the first innings.
“Look, Bangladesh played better cricket and won. There is nothing we can do about it now, but we have to learn from our mistakes and hopefully apply those learnings in the second test.”
He also said that players would have to take individual and collective responsibility to go out there and play positively, and this doesn’t mean hitting sixes every ball, but it is about being busy in batting and showing the right energy levels.
He also felt that bowlers needed to be more ruthless, hit the right line and length and hit the good spot consistently to challenge the opposition.
“We have to be consistent and ruthless with our basics.”
Gillispie said the players realised it was an absolute privilege to play for Pakistan, and it was disappointing to lose the first Test.
“We are encouraging them to play with freedom and intent and show authentic skills. They just need to execute skill levels properly.”
Pakistan Squad: Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed. (PTI)
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