Pakistan made a huge decision by resting their speedster Shaheen Afridi for the ongoing third and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Pakistan changed their bowling combination altogether, with Sajid Khan coming into the playing XI as a specialist spinner whereas Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal, and Mir Hamza made the pace attack as well. However, Pakistan are scheduled to play a five-match T20I series in New Zealand from January 12 onwards, and the decision to rest Afridi has been taken, keeping the workload in mind.

“I played two games, and a lot of overs to be honest. They’re just managing my workload, the medical team and team management decided to take a rest for this (Test),” Shaheen Afridi said in an interaction with the broadcasters during Lunch on Day 1 in Sydney. “I think that I can take more wickets, but unfortunately catches win matches, and unfortunately we missed those opportunities on the field most of the time. It has been a good tour so far and the last game that we played was quite awesome. As a bowling unit, and as a team, we gave our best, the result was not in our hands, but we tried.”

However, Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. A horrific start awaited the visitors as they were reduced to 4-2 in the second over itself. They ended the first session at 75-4, with Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan steadying the ship.

“The wicket looks okay so far, and in the matches that have been played here before, it has favored the team batting first. They bowled in good areas this morning, and Saim Ayub our superstar, he is new, so these sort of things happen. But, we will come back soon. It was a tough first session, but Shan and Rizwan are still at the crease and we are hopeful that they will put together a huge partnership,” Afridi again shared.

Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi was named as the T20I captain after Babar Azam chose to quit his post as captain across all formats. The pacer’s first assignment will be the upcoming away series against New Zealand.

“It is a very proud moment for me to represent Pakistan as the captain, for my family as well. It is a challenge for me as a new captain to figure out how to manage the team and the challenges coming with the World Cup and all,” Shaheen Afridi concluded.