Kamran Akmal: “You could rest Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah to give Abbas Afridi, Khurram Shahzad and Sufiyan Muqeem a chance”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal wants to see the bowling trio of Abbas Afridi, Khurram Shahzad and Sufiyan Muqeem get more chances.
He noted that they should be included in the playing XI more often when the pace duo of Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah are being rested.
During the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL), Afridi finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets in 11 matches for the Karachi Kings at an average of 23.52 and an economy rate of 10.25.
Shahzad, meanwhile, took 12 wickets in eight games for the Quetta Gladiators at an average of 19.50 and an economy rate of 8.06.
As for Muqeem, he didn’t do as well as he would have wanted as he only picked up one wicket in three matches for the Peshawar Zalmi at an average of 107 and an economy rate of 9.72.
“You could rest Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah to give Abbas Afridi, Khurram Shahzad and Sufiyan Muqeem a chance,” Akmal said on an ARY News show.
Following PSL 10, Afridi took part in Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Bangladesh and claimed two wickets in one game at an average of 13 and an economy rate of 6.50.
He then proceeded to tour of Bangladesh with the men in green and took three wickets in three T20Is at an average of 17.66 and an economy rate of 8.83.
Shahzad and Muqeem didn’t feature in either of the T20I series against Bangladesh.
Pakistan are now touring the West Indies for three T20Is and three ODIs.
In the T20I series, Muqeem has snapped up two wickets in two games at an average of 19.50 and an economy rate of 4.87.
Afridi was included in the team, but didn’t get included in the playing XI for the both matches.
In regards to Shahzad, he was not picked for the West Indies tour.
The T20I series is currently tied at 1-1 going into the 3rd T20I on August 4 in Lauderhill.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan Squad for West Indies ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
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