Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is pleased to have their star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi back in the test team for the tw0-match test series against Sri Lanka starting today. The Left-arm pacer last represented the Men In Green in test cricket way back in July 2022.
The Pakistan pacer has been prone to injury, which kept him out of the actions for a considerable amount of time after the completion of the 2022 T20 World Cup and the speedster has been in fine form in recent times as he has scalped 20 wickets in 13 games at an economy rate of 8.65.
Speaking on Pakistan Cricket’s social media handle, Babar Azam is happy to have Shaheen Shan Afridi in the mix for the Sri Lanka tour, as he leads the bowling attack and said that the left-arm pacer has a hungry to perform in Test Cricket and said that he is excited to play the test cricket and wants his team to be consistent in all three formats of the game.
“I am particularly pleased with the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi. Besides his wicket-taking abilities, his presence always motivates and lifts the side. I know Shaheen has badly missed red-ball cricket and is now hungry for Test cricket,” Babar Azam said.
“Really excited to be back in the red-ball format and all eyes are on the Galle Test as we are prepared and ready for the challenge. We are taking one step at a time, but we have to be consistent across all formats,” Babar Azam added.
The Pakistani pacer will spread now look to continue his sublime form in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. Shaheen Afridi has found good form recently and would like to make the most of it by helping Pakistan in the longer format of the game against Sri Lanka.
I Am Sure This Tour Will Be A Good Learning Curve For Abrar Ahmed – Babar Azam
Babar Azam feels that the Pakistan side has settled unit coming into the two-match series against Sri Lanka, as the team has been playing together for the past 12 months and is excited to have Abrar Ahmed in the team, who can be crucial for the team’s success in sub-continental conditions.
“One of the positives going into the Galle Test is that 13 of our players were here 12 months ago. Abrar Ahmed has identified himself as a good option in our combination. I am sure this tour will be a good learning curve for him as we have high hopes for him in this and future series,” Babar Azam added
Abrar Ahmed made an impressive debut for Pakistan against England in 2022. In the five matches so far, the youngster has picked up 28 wickets including a 10-fer and two 5-fer in his International career, and will look to continue his fine form against Sri Lanka in the away conditions.