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Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf to sit out; pacers whom Pakistan can pick for South Africa T20Is

Debashis Sarangi

Naseem might make his T20I return if Shaheen is rested [Source: AFP]Naseem might make his T20I return if Shaheen is rested [Source: AFP]

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, two of the most successful Pakistani bowlers in T20Is, are reportedly not going to be a part of their squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. After losing the Asia Cup final to India, Pakistan are set to take on the Proteas in a three-match T20I series at home. 

However, as per the emerging reports, the experienced duo won't likely play the South Africa T20Is. While the PCB is planning to manage Shaheen's workload by resting him, Rauf could be dropped due to his poor outing in the Asia Cup final against arch-rivals India. 

If the PCB selection committee excludes Shaheen and Rauf, here are four pacers who might get into Pakistan's squad for the South Africa T20Is. 

Naseem Shah

Naseem Shah's experience and recent CPL form makes his case strong for a T20I comeback

  • Naseem Shah was dropped from Pakistan's Asia Cup squad amid his prolonged lean patch in T20I cricket. Overall, Naseem has bagged 25 wickets in 29 innings at a strike rate of 25.9. 
  • If Shaheen Afridi is rested and Haris Rauf is dropped for the South Africa T20Is, the doors for Naseem Shah's T20I return might open. He is undoubtedly Pakistan's most experienced fast bowler after Rauf and Shaheen, and it won't be surprising if the PCB gives him another chance to prove his worth in the shortest format. 
  • Who can forget Naseem's magnificent spell in the 2022 T20 World Cup final that kept the Englishmen on their toes? The right-arm pacer is certainly one of the finest prospects of new-ball bowling, and if Shaheen is rested, he could be Pakistan's first choice to lead the pace attack in the South Africa series. In fact, Naseem recently exhibited remarkable form in the Caribbean Premier League, scalping eleven wickets at a healthy strike rate of 18.63. So, considering his experience and ability to make the new ball talk, Naseem might make a T20I comeback if the star pace duo remains unavailable for the home series. 

Abbas Afridi

Abbas Afridi's variations and multi-dimensional game could prompt Pakistan to bring him back

Criterion
Data
Matches24
Wickets38
Average/SR15.5/11
Economy8.49

(Abbas Afridi's bowling stats in T20Is)

  • Abbas Afridi has capitalised on whatever opportunity he has got for Pakistan's T20I side. In 24 T20Is, the right-arm pacer has scalped 38 wickets at a magnificent strike rate of eleven. 
  • Abbas Afridi is one of the rare Pakistani pacers who bowls excellently in the middle and death overs. Apart from hitting the deck hard, Afridi's ability to bamboozle the batters with his cutters and slow balls makes him a potent bowling weapon in the shortest format. 
  • Added to that, Abbas Afridi can also play handy quick-fire cameos as a lower-order batter, making him an all-round package in T20Is. Considering the next T20I World Cup is in Sri Lanka where pitches assist bowlers like him, Pakistan might bring Afridi back to the setup after ignoring him for the Asia Cup. 

Salman Mirza

Salman Mirza, a like-for-like replacement for Shaheen Afridi

  • Salman Mirza is a left-arm pacer who shone brightly in Pakistan's T20I matches against Bangladesh and the UAE before the Asia Cup. In five matches, he scalped eight wickets at a magnificent economy of 6.87. 
  • However, the presence of Shaheen Afridi in the squad prevented him from playing in the tournament. But if Shaheen is rested, Salman Mirza will be his first-choice like-for-like replacement. 
  • He can swing the new ball up front like Shaheen, making him a genuine threat to the opposition's top-order batters. Furthermore, given that he has performed for Pakistan in his brief career, Salman Mirza deserves a thorough backing from the PCB before the 2026 T20 World Cup. 

Mohammad Wasim Jr

Mohammad Wasim Jr, Pakistan's workhorse who can be an asset vs SA

  • Right-arm fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr has proved himself in T20Is. Overall, he has scalped 36 wickets in 29 T20Is at an average of 20.9 and a strike rate of 15.4. 
  • Apart from troubling the batters with his pace and accuracy, Mohammad Wasim Jr can be a valuable asset for Pakistan in the slog overs. He can also generate reverse swing with the old ball, empowering Pakistan with a potent weapon in the death overs. 
  • Wasim Jr was a part of Pakistan's Asia Cup squad. But he didn't get a game, with Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi and Faheem Ashraf leading the bowling attack. So, if Shaheen is rested and Rauf is dropped, Pakistan can utilise Mohammad Wasim Jr's experience and expertise to surprise South Africa in the T20I series.