Star quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi performed down the row over Haris Rauf declining a proposal from the Pakistan selectors to play within the 3-Take a look at sequence in Australia, saying that the guy pacer has the suitable to decide on the codecs he desires to play. Chatting with reporters in Canberra after a coaching session with the Pakistan Take a look at aspect, Afridi mentioned Haris’s absence is not going to be a significant concern for the group within the much-anticipated problem Down Below.
Pakistan have been coaching on the Manuka Oval in Canberra within the lead-up to their solely observe fixture towards Prime Minister’s XI from December 6 to 9. Pakistan named a power-packed squad led by new Take a look at captain Shan Masood for the 3-Take a look at sequence because the Asian giants look to place behind the frustration of the World Cup 2023 flop present.
Pakistan haven’t received a Take a look at match in Australia since 1995 however the Shan Masood-led aspect have been placing within the laborious yards within the lead-up to the sequence.
Haris Rauf declining a proposal to play the Take a look at sequence in Australia made headlines when the squad was introduced final month. Rauf has performed just one Take a look at to this point and a complete of 9 first-class matches in his profession to this point.
Haris Rauf refused the supply from new chief selector Wahab Riaz, protecting in thoughts his Massive Bash League dedication.
“Haris was not a part of the final sequence as nicely in Checks. Haris is a energy for Pakistan cricket in white-ball cricket. He’ll proceed to be a foremost bowler in white-ball cricket. His affect in white-ball cricket could be very excessive. I believe it (not taking part in Take a look at sequence in Australia) is his opinion. I believe each participant has to have his personal opinion. It is in regards to the rights of the person. I believe there was a dialogue with him earlier than the tour. I believe he feels he would not have a big effect in red-ball cricket,” Shaheen Afridi mentioned.
Mohammed Hafeez, Director of Cricket of the lads’s group, responded strongly to Haris’s choice, emphasising the significance of contracted gamers prioritising nationwide duties over different commitments, resembling T20 franchises.
Wahab Riaz had additionally expressed his disappointment with Rauf’s choice, saying it could harm Pakistan cricket. He highlighted the group’s want for Rauf’s providers, particularly given the accidents plaguing different quick bowlers able to delivering speeds over 140 kph. Riaz identified that Rauf, being centrally contracted, ought to have been able to make sacrifices for the nationwide group. The chief selector had envisioned utilizing Rauf as an affect participant, requiring him to bowl quick bursts of 10-12 overs per day,
‘BABAR IS OUR MAIN PLAYER’
In the meantime, Shaheen Afridi backed Babar Azam to proceed being the spine of the Pakistan batting unit even after quitting captaincy.
Babar gave up captaincy throughout all codecs after the dismal World Cup marketing campaign in India. Shan Masood was named the Take a look at captain whereas Shaheen changed Babar within the T20I format.
“Babar, he’s our foremost participant> within the batting line-up, everybody performs round him. So long as he stays within the center, the dressing room is glad and relaxed. He’s a group participant. The extra we play as a group, the extra it’s good for us,” Shaheen mentioned.
Pakistan and Australia will meet within the first Take a look at in Perth from December 14, 5 days after he warm-up recreation in Canberra.
PAKISTAN SQUAD FOR AUSTRALIA TESTS
Shan Masood (c), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi
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