Paradigm shift in Pakistan cricket: Shaheen, Hasan dropped from Red-Ball Training Camps
Paradigm shift in Pakistan cricket: Shaheen, Hasan dropped from Red-Ball Training Camps
By Nawaz Gohar : A structural shift is underway in Pakistan cricket, signaling a definitive change in the national team’s selection policy. In a series of bold decisions, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced separate high-performance training camps for the upcoming red-ball and white-ball assignments against the West Indies and England, introducing major overhauls to the fast-bowling department.
The PCB has shortlisted a total of 49 players, dividing them into a 22-member Test training camp and a 27-member limited-overs pool.
The red-ball specialist camp will run until July 10, while the white-ball conditioning camp is scheduled to conclude on September 18. Furthermore, training specifically geared toward the upcoming tour of the West Indies is projected to commence on July 15.
In a move that highlights the board’s new directional strategy, the PCB think tank opted to exclude newly appointed ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi from the red-ball camp, placing him strictly within the 27-member white-ball pool instead. Alongside Afridi, seasoned pacer Hasan Ali was also left out of the Test setup.
Instead, selectors have injected fresh blood and rewarded domestic performers, naming Mohammad Ali, Ubaid Shah, Saqib Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shehzad Gul, Mohammad Abbas, and Khurram Shahzad to the red-ball roster.
Insiders reveal that the decision stems from growing concerns within the board regarding Shaheen Afridi’s recent Test form. The left-arm pacer has visibly struggled to replicate the high-velocity, deceptive swing, and relentless pressure that once defined his opening spells, often finding it difficult to provide crucial breakthroughs during vital sessions.
Board officials reportedly harbor serious reservations regarding Afridi’s limited participation in the domestic first-class circuit. The prevailing view within management is that without the foundational workload of four-day cricket, the pacer’s rhythm and longevity in the longest format are unlikely to improve.
While there was a time when top-order batters were routinely rattled by Afridi’s opening bursts, current analysis suggests the bowler has recently been retained based on reputation rather than merit. The latest omissions signal a clear message from the PCB: young, in-form domestic bowlers will be given their rightful opportunities to prove themselves at the highest level.
Despite the recent slump, Shaheen Afridi’s long-term red-ball pedigree remains notable, having claimed 60 wickets across his last 16 Test appearances. However, the current selection trajectory proves that the PCB is firmly committed to moving forward with specialized, peak-fitness fast bowlers to tackle the rigorous Test schedules ahead.
