Pakistan’s star left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi is expected to miss the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh as he prepares to welcome his first child with his wife Ansha. This development comes amid ongoing speculation about Afridi’s recent misconduct with the team management.
The announcement was made by Pakistan’s red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, who stated,
Shaheen can miss Bangladesh Test matches due to childbirth. We can give him some rest if he wants to stay with his wife till then.
Afridi’s absence would be a significant blow to the Men in Green as they gear up for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh in August.
Shaheen Afridi and Ansha, whose nikah was solemnized in February last year and wedding and walima ceremonies held in September, are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of their first child.
However, Shaheen Afridi has recently been under the spotlight for less celebratory reasons. Reports have emerged that the pacer allegedly misbehaved with coaches and management staff during Pakistan’s tour of England, just before the 2024 T20I World Cup. Sources indicate that Afridi engaged in arguments with team coaches, raising concerns about his conduct and discipline.
This controversy follows closely on the heels of another significant event in Afridi’s career – the captaincy saga. Earlier this year, Afridi was replaced by Babar Azam as the white-ball skipper, a decision that stirred much debate within the cricketing community.
Despite these controversies, Afridi remains a crucial player for Pakistan. His potential absence from the Bangladesh series will necessitate strategic adjustments by the team management. Coach Gillespie and the selection committee will need to identify suitable replacements to fill the void left by Afridi’s unavailability.
