Shahid Afridi Supports PCB’s Decision to Drop Babar, Shaheen and Naseem

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has come out in support of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection panel’s decision to drop Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the Test side ahead of the second test against England in Multan.

In a post on social media site X, the legendary Pakistani player explained that the move to exclude the star players in the Pakistani lineup would ultimately prove beneficial and that the much-needed rest would reinvigorate them, prolonging their careers.

Afridi also exclaimed that this decision would also give the team a chance to test out some of the emerging talent in the side, providing them with some game time which in turn would bolster Pakistan’s depth in terms of a talent pool.

Father-in-law to pacer Shaheen, Shahid Afridi did not single out any player in particular.

Afridi’s support for the selectors comes at a time when there is quite a bit of chaos at the PCB, with questions for management and captaincy alike.

Notably, Afridi’s statement comes right after former cricketer and analyst Basit Ali warned him  that he needs to ‘identify his friends and enemies’. Basit Ali was emphasising the fact that Shaheen was being targeted by those in charge.