‘Real shocker’: Pakistan selection move is pure farce

Pakistan has overshadowed David Warner on the opening day of the Aussie batsman’s final Test with a bizarre move.

Pakistan’s shock selections have left cricket commentators shaking their heads on the opening Day of the SCG Test.

A heavy workload in the Boxing Day Test has resulted in star bowler Shaheen Afridi being put on ice by the Tourists in preparation for a T20 series rather than playing the final Test against Australia.

Pakistan cricket icons Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have both slammed the move.

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Cricket statistician Mazher Arshad earlier said it is a “clear” sign that Pakistan was favouring T20 cricket over Tests.

“I can’t recall any moment from Pakistan’s history where a player, as important as Shaheen Afridi, was rested from Tests due to workload management,” he said.

“A few years ago, such a move would have left us fuming but to be honest now it is understandable.

Pakistan bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been overlooked. Photo by William WEST / AFP.

“We can’t really blame Shaheen or the management for thinking this way because that’s the direction cricket is taking.”

Aussie cricket legend Mark Waugh was scathing of the decision.

“He should be playing. I know he’s bowled a lot of overs,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.

“It’s Test Match cricket. I just don’t get it. He’s the best bowler. He’s the leader of the attack. He should be playing.”

Pakistan cricket icon Wasim Akram said it “upsets” him that Shaheen appeared to be the one to make the decision.

Former Pakistan coach Waqar Younis also weighed in on the issue ahead of the day’s play.

Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan. Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

“We play for Test match cricket, we don’t play for T20s or one-day cricket. If you’re missing Test match cricket purely because you’re being rested, I do not understand. That’s a real shocker for me,” he said on Channel 7.

The tourists have also axed the senior member of their opening pair, Imam-ul-Haq, and turned to exciting debutant Saim Ayub.

Saim’s first Test innings lasted just two deliveries, dismissed by Josh Hazlewood in the second over of the day with Pakistan reeling at 2/4.

Afridi, meanwhile, bowled 27 overs in both innings last week in Melbourne, including a second-innings haul of 4-76.

It is understood the left-arm quick, who was appointed Pakistan’s T20 captain in November, has been rested ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand beginning January 12.

He took on a significantly higher workload than Pakistan’s other three quick bowlers at the MCG as they only turned to part-time spinner Salman Ali Agha for 11 overs during the match.