December 25, 2024: Mickey Arthur, the former head coach of Pakistan’s national cricket team, has strongly criticized the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for leaving out Shaheen Shah Afridi from the two-match Test series against South Africa, which starts on Thursday. The exclusion of Pakistan’s pace spearhead has raised eyebrows, with Arthur calling Afridi a “game-breaker and match-winner” and expressing disbelief at the decision.
In an interview with ESPNCricinfo, Arthur questioned why Afridi, who has been one of the most successful and impactful bowlers for Pakistan in recent years, was not included in the squad for the South Africa series. He emphasized the conditions in South Africa, which are known to favor fast bowlers, and said, “If he is not bowling in South Africa, then where the hell are they bowling him? It is the best place to bowl in the world, almost. Plus, he gives you a left-arm option.” Arthur further stressed that, on pure skill, Afridi should be in any team he picks for South Africa, considering his proven success in the country.
Shaheen Shah Afridi’s omission has raised further concern when compared to the struggles of some of Pakistan’s all-time great pacers in South Africa. Historically, Pakistan’s fast bowlers have not had much success in the Proteas’ conditions, with Wasim Akram, Aaqib Javed, and several others recording relatively high bowling averages. However, Shaheen stands out with a solid record in South Africa, boasting a respectable bowling average of 26.66, which further underlines Arthur’s point that he is a crucial asset for the team in such conditions.
The PCB’s rationale behind Afridi’s omission seems to be managing his workload ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy, which is set to start in February. The board’s decision to prioritize his fitness and freshness for the white-ball format has led to his exclusion from the Test series. While the management’s strategy is clear in terms of keeping Afridi fresh, critics like Arthur argue that the opportunity to bowl in South Africa, with its seam-friendly pitches, is one that no fast bowler should miss.
Pakistan’s squad for the South Africa tour, which includes key players like Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, will aim to compete strongly in the two-match Test series. The second Test will begin on January 3, with the first Test taking place on Thursday. While Pakistan’s management might be focusing on long-term planning, the absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi in this crucial series certainly has stirred debate, with many questioning the wisdom of overlooking a bowler of his caliber in South Africa’s ideal fast-bowling conditions.
