Why Did Pakistan Drop Shaheen Afridi Again? Fans Want Answers

Shaheen Afridi’s future with the Pakistan cricket team has become even more uncertain after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) left him out of the squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh. This decision has raised many eyebrows across the cricketing world, especially among fans and former cricketers in Pakistan.

Once again, the star left-arm fast bowler was not included in the playing squad. This is surprising for many because Shaheen is still considered one of Pakistan’s top pace bowlers, known for his deadly swing and early breakthroughs. His recent form may not have been his best, but many experts believe that he still brings value to the team — especially now, when other key bowlers are unavailable.

Former cricketer Basit Ali openly criticized the PCB’s decision on social media. He took to platform X (previously known as Twitter) and shared his frustration by posting, “Why is he not in the team?” along with a photo of Shaheen. His post reflected the confusion and disappointment felt by many fans.

Basit is not alone in raising this question. Many people within the cricket community are struggling to understand why a bowler of Shaheen’s caliber is being ignored. The last time he played for Pakistan in a T20I match was during the tour of New Zealand earlier this year. Since then, he has been left out of multiple series without any clear explanation.

Interestingly, other senior players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have also been left out of the squad. However, experts believe their absence is somewhat understandable. Pakistan has recently seen the rise of young and aggressive batters, especially in the top order, which may explain the rotation of experienced players like Babar and Rizwan.

But Shaheen’s case is different. With fast bowlers like Haris Rauf out due to injury, and others like Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr. still recovering, this seemed like the perfect opportunity for Shaheen to make a strong return to international cricket. Yet, instead of bringing him back, the PCB has chosen to include newer names like Ahmed Daniyal and Salman Mirza. Young pacer Abbas Afridi has also been given another chance to prove himself.

While Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan are not part of the official squad, they have been called up to join the pre-series training camp in Karachi. This suggests that they are still part of the PCB’s future plans — at least for now. It could be a sign that the board is experimenting with new combinations ahead of bigger events like the ICC T20 World Cup.

Still, the lack of communication from the PCB is frustrating for many. Fans want to know why a fully fit and globally sought-after player like Shaheen is being left out. Is this part of a rotation policy, or has the board lost faith in him as a regular T20 option? These are important questions that remain unanswered.

The debate around Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion is not dying down. In fact, it’s growing louder. Many believe that dropping a player with such experience and skill without giving a proper reason is unfair — not only to Shaheen but also to the fans who follow Pakistan cricket passionately.

As the PCB moves forward with its plans to rebuild and restructure the T20 team, it will have to deal with the pressure of public opinion. Whether Shaheen Afridi’s absence is temporary or signals a bigger shift in strategy, one thing is clear: the cricketing world is watching, and people want answers.

For now, the future of Shaheen Afridi in the national T20 squad remains uncertain — but the conversation is far from over.

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