GALLE: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam confirmed left-arm spinner, Nauman Ali, as the replacement of ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was ruled out of the second Test against Sri Lanka due to a knee injury.
Babar, in a Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) released video statement, acknowledged Shaheen’s absence will be dearly missed while confirming that the touring side will add another spinner to the Playing XI for the second Test.
“Shaheen is our main bowler who provides us early breakthroughs. Unfortunately, he is not available so we have added another spinner, Nauman Ali and he will be playing tomorrow,” Babar confirmed.
“We will go with two pacers tomorrow and try to continue our match-winning performance,” he maintained.
Babar then went on to comment on the Green Shirts’ historic and record-breaking triumph over Sri Lanka in the first Test while claiming that the team always tries its best to produce such performances.
“As a team, we focus on record-breaking performances. Every player takes his responsibility sincerely and tries to give his hundred percent,” Babar asserted.
“As a unit, we are doing good so far. In the end, there are also some weak areas and we will try to work hard and come up more strongly,” he concluded.
The second Test between Pakistan and the hosts Sri Lanka will be played from July 24 to 28 at the same venue, meanwhile, the Green Shirts have a 1-0 lead in the two-match Test series after their historic win in the first match.
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GALLE: Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq confirmed the unavailability of the ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Test against Sri Lanka, while also acknowledging that the touring side will miss the left-arm pacer.
Saqlain, while talking to the media here ahead of the second ODI, asserted that the touring bowlers will miss the services of the left-arm pacer as he guides them throughout in the games.
“No doubt, our bowlers will miss Shaheen in the second Test. He is our main bowler and he guides his fellowmen as well. Definitely, the bowlers will miss his presence as he brings in a lot of charisma to the unit,” Saqlain stated.
The national head coach then remained reluctant to the changes for the second Test except for the replacement of injured Afridi, while emphasizing that the final playing XI will be decided after analyzing the pitch.
“We have looked at the pitch but nothing is decided as of yet. Obviously, Shaheen’s replacement is there but apart from this, we will sit and decide before announcing the final XI,” said Saqlain.
“Our players showed great determination, potential and execution of plans to win the last game. From Abdullah Shafique to tail-ender Naseem Shah and then Hassan Ali, Yasir Shah and others, everyone fought hard to achieve a well-deserved victory,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that ace pacer Shaheen sustained a gruelling knee injury during the first Test against Sri Lanka, which resulted in his exclusion from the second Test. According to the sources, Nauman Ali will receive a call-up in the playing XI as Shaheen’s replacement.
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LAHORE: Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the first ODI after sustaining an injury during the team’s scheduled practice session yesterday.
Shaheen, who sustained an injury after being hit in the nets while batting, has not been cleared to play the first ODI against Australia. The left-arm pacer was under observation after sustaining the injury.
Whereas, leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood and right-arm quick Mohammad Wasim Jr are making their ODI debut for Pakistan today.
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