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Shaheen Afridi Breaks Silence on Test Series Absence

by Madhan Vennapusa

Pakistan is currently playing a two-match Test series against South Africa, and there was a report that star pacer Shaheen Afridi had been left out of the squad. Importantly, Shaheen Afridi is playing for Fortune Barishal in the BPL. He chose not to answer questions related to Pakistan cricket during a press conference.

Various sources reportedly indicate that Shaheen was removed from the Test squad when he was thought to be in disregard, disobeying a selector when he failed to accept to play a four-day match.

"Sorry for that, can we just question the Bangladesh league. "I am fit (to play across formats) and that's why I'm here (to play BPL)," Shaheen told reporters at the press conference. 

Besides his exclusion from the national team, Shaheen Afridi stands on the brink of gaining the record of taking most wickets in the initial over of T20 cricket. Afridi said that he does not focus on the record.

"Actually I'm not trying to break the records or make a record. I'm just simply trying to hit my right areas in T20 cricket. You know, T20 cricket's wicket is too good for batting and so just trying to mix up using my variation and just trying to hit my good areas,” Afridi said. 

"For me it's usual. Batters try to take on bowlers, you know to disturb the bowler. As a bowler, when you take a wicket early, the whole batting unit will be disturbed because the middle order can't face the new ball easily. That's the approach I have - to take a wicket with the new ball. If not, then use my variation,” Afridi added. 

The star pacer also stated that he is excited about playing in the BPL and mentioned his desire to repay the trust that the Barishal captain Tamim Iqbal has placed in him.

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