Shaheen Afridi takes a break from Tests for Pakistan and instead plays in this T20 league

Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has requested the team management and national selectors not to consider him for the Test matches in South Africa due to workload management as he wants to be “100 per cent fit” for the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March. After Pakistan’s squad was announced for the two Tests in South Africa without Shaheen, interim head coach and senior selector Aaqib Javed said the left-arm pacer’s workload was being managed for the keep fresh for the Champions Trophy.

“The truth is that Shaheen himself requested that he not be considered for Test matches until the end of the Champions Trophy,” said a source.

He said Shaheen had also apparently informed the team management and the Pakistan board that he had received a lucrative offer from a Bangladesh Premier League franchise and assured that he would handle his workload during the T20 league which will be held from December 30 to February. 7.

“He assured the management and board that the money was very good and he would take care of his fitness and workload during the event, so he should be allowed to play in the league ” the source said.

During this period, Pakistan played two Tests in South Africa and two Tests at home against the West Indies.

“Shaheen said he will be fully fit in time for the three ODI series against New Zealand and South Africa, followed by the Champions Trophy at home,” the source said.

“Shaheen told Aaqib that he might be selected for Tests once the Champions Trophy is over,” he added.

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