Pakistan’s senior fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are both expected to miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, as the national team management continues to build a younger squad.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play the three T20Is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 9, 11 and 13, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board’s schedule.
Shaheen has 136 wickets from 103 T20Is at an average of 21.35. These figures make him Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. Haris Rauf has taken 133 wickets in 94 T20Is at an average of 21.10.
The reports also say Sahibzada Farhan could continue as T20I captain after leading Pakistan at the Asian Games. Salman Ali Agha is expected to lose the captaincy, although the final decision and squad announcement are still pending.
Shaheen is expected to lead Pakistan in the ODI tri-series involving England and Sri Lanka from October 18 to 31. The PCB has confirmed that the tournament will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
There are also reports that Shaheen is being considered for Pakistan’s two-Test series against Sri Lanka in November. The PCB has scheduled those Tests for November 9 to 13 and November 17 to 21.
