ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has expressed concern over the omission of promising fast bowler Abbas Afridi from the national squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh.
Talking to the media, Akmal described Afridi’s exclusion as an “injustice”, highlighting the pacer’s consistent performances in both the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and on the international stage.
“I believe he has taken 33 wickets in 20 T20 internationals. It’s unfair to leave him out,” Akmal remarked.
“You could have rested Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah to allow opportunities for Abbas Afridi, Khurram Shehzad, and Sufiyan Muqeem,” he added.
The former wicketkeeper-batter also emphasised the importance of long-term planning and nurturing young talent with the T20 World Cup in mind. He questioned the imbalance within the current squad’s composition.
Long-term planning
“The squad includes nine batters, five of whom are openers. There’s no long-term planning or clear strategy to develop new players,” he said.
Akmal further criticised the drastic changes made to the squad that faced New Zealand in a recent T20I series.
“The real question is whether a full-strength side should have been fielded against New Zealand or in this upcoming series against Bangladesh. There seems to be no clear direction,” he concluded.
It is worth noting that the right-arm pacer is currently in top form for the Karachi Kings in the ongoing PSL 10, where he is the leading wicket-taker.
He has claimed 17 wickets in 10 matches at an average of 20.64, with an economy rate of 10.02.
The 24-year-old has featured in 20 T20Is for Pakistan, securing 33 wickets at an average of 15.48 and an economy of 8.58.
Pakistan-Bangladesh series
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced both the squad and a revised schedule for the T20I series against Bangladesh.
Initially planned as a five-match series, it has now been reduced to three matches due to logistical constraints.
All three matches will be held at Lahore’s historic Gaddafi Stadium from 28 May to 1 June, with each fixture starting at 8:00 PM local time.
Bangladesh are set to arrive in Lahore on 25 May, with training sessions scheduled for 26 and 27 May.
The series also marks the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson, adding further significance to the three-match affair.
Pakistan squad for T20I series
Agha Salman (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), and Naseem Shah.
T20I series schedule
28 May – 1st T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
30 May – 2nd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 June – 3rd T20I, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
