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Why Has PCB Picked Shaheen Afridi Over Babar Azam For Disciplinary Punishment?

Shaheen Afridi dropped from Test squad for South Africa series [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @cricketcomau/X.com]Shaheen Afridi dropped from Test squad for South Africa series [Source: @ImTanujSingh, @cricketcomau/X.com]

In a controversial turn of events, Shaheen Afridi has reportedly been axed from the Test squad over disciplinary issues. According to a report from Cricket Pakistan, a selector punished Afridi for overruling his order to play domestic cricket, whereas Babar Azam’s similar violation was ignored.

Pakistan cricket is back in the news for alleged bias in player selection. A newly formed PCB committee headed by Aaqib Javed released a detailed squad for Pakistan’s multi-format tour to South Africa. One notable omission from the Test squad was Shaheen Shah Afridi.

He took seven wickets in the ODI series and displayed promising signs in South African conditions. However, the PCB selection committee ignored his heroics to omit him from the red ball side.

Shaheen Afridi facing bias by selection committee?

Meanwhile, Cricket Pakistan is now reporting that Shaheen Afridi was targeted by the PCB selection committee over disciplinary issues. They claim that the pacer was asked to play a four-day game in domestic cricket prior to the South African tour which Afridi failed to adhere to. Irked by the same, an unnamed selector dropped the seamer from the Test squad as disciplinary action.

However, the report further revealed startling details. Apparently, the same selector had made a similar request to Pakistan’s senior batter and former captain Babar Azam. And even though Babar also failed to fulfil the request, he was allowed to be a part of the Test squad.

This stark difference in decision-making has given rise to allegations of player bias. The selector in question has reportedly been authoritative and biased towards certain individuals, leading to dissent amongst players. Shaheen Afridi, for that matter, is hurt and vows to keep his Test comeback dream alive.

Pakistan miserably feels the void of Afridi

On Day 1 of the first Test between Pakistan and South Africa, the visitors felt the void of Shaheen Shah Afridi as their seamers struggled to take wickets. While Khurram Shahzad scalped two wickets, Naseem Shah and Aamer Jamal went wicketless by the end of the day’s play. South Africa bowled out Pakistan for 211 runs in the first innings and finished with 82/3 at stumps on Day 1.