KARACHI: According to sources who spoke with Geo News on Friday, Pakistani fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is anticipated to be rested for the third and final Sydney Test of the Australia tour.
According to the sources, Shaheen Afridi will take a break if Pakistan lost to Australia in the second Test as well. Before the Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, which gets underway on January 12, the team management wanted Shaheen Afridi to remain as fresh as possible.
Due to back-to-back games, Afridi is exhausted, the sources continued.
A few days before the T20I series begins, on January 3, the five-day Sydney match will start and conclude on January 7.
On December 17, Australia defeated Pakistan for just 89 runs, securing a commanding 360-run victory. Nathan Lyon claimed his 500th Test wicket during this innings.
The spin king and the host team’s potent pace attack destroyed Pakistan’s improbable attempt to win their first Test match in Australia since 1995, concluding the match in just four days.
The visitors had lost badly, chasing 450 for the win, with Lyon taking 2–18. Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc each claimed three wickets.
Following Pakistan’s first innings, Lyon was left stranded on 499. However, he eventually achieved the milestone when he trapped Faheem Ashraf leg before wicket, but there was a painful wait as it was reviewed.
