GALLE: Pakistan head coach Saqlain Mushtaq confirmed the unavailability of ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Test against Sri Lanka, while acknowledging that the tour team will lose the pacer in his left arm.
Saqlain, while speaking to the media here ahead of the second ODI, claimed touring bowlers will miss the services of the left arm pacemaker as he guides them through games.
“Shaheen will certainly be missed by our bowlers in the second Test. He is our main bowler and also guides the likes of him.
Bowlers will definitely miss his presence as he brings a lot of charisma to the unit,” Saqlain stated.
The national coach was then reluctant to change for the second test except for the replacement of the injured Afridi, while stressing that the final eleven at stake will be decided after analyzing the pitch.
“We have looked at the pitch, but nothing has been decided yet. Obviously Shaheen’s replacement is there, but aside from this we will sit down and decide before announcing the final XI,” Saqlain said.
“Our players showed great determination, potential and execution of plans to win the last game. From Abdullah Shafique to finalist Naseem Shah and then Hassan Ali, Yasir Shah and others all fought hard to achieve a well-deserved victory,” he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that ace pacer Shaheen suffered a severe knee injury during the first test against Sri Lanka, which resulted in his exclusion from the second test.
According to sources, Nauman Ali will receive a call-up in the playing XI as Shaheen’s replacement.
READ: Bowlers star as England crush South Africa in second rain-affected ODI
