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'Has He Ever Opted Rest In T20 or ODIs?', Salman Butt Slams Shaheen On Skipping SCG Test

image-lqxfp4i1Shaheen Afridi (X.com)

Pakistani speedster Shaheen Afridi's sudden exclusion from the SCG test against Australia stirred up a huge debate over the importance of test cricket amongst new-gen players.

Afridi was rested for the third and final test against Australia, which went on floors at Sydney Cricket Ground earlier today, citing workload management reasons.

While Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi clarified the true motive behind the move, the cricket experts are not buying a word. After former Pakistani legendary bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram condemned Afridi's omission, Salman Butt also joined the mass.


Salman Butt Slams Shaheen Afridi For Skipping SCG Test

Via a Youtube video, former Pakistan captain Salman Butt questioned Shaheen Afridi's priorities when it comes to sorting out different formats of the game. He pointed out how Afridi has never missed a T20 or ODI game in the past, citing workload reasons.

"Yes, Shaheen Afridi deserves rest, but has he ever opted for rest in a T20I or an ODI game? If he has to rest, why not rest from the upcoming T20Is? He could have taken a break from the first two or three matches," said Salman Butt.

Butt claimed that Afridi putting his test career on a backburner for T20s reflects on his priorities. 

Post the ongoing test series, Pakistan is set to travel to New Zealand to feature in a five-game T20 series wherein Shaheen Afridi will lead his side as the team's new shorter format captain.

Now, many believe that Afridi ditched the SCG test to stay fit for that T20 series. However, Butt believes that just because the pacer is captain does not mean he has to feature in every game.

"Shaheen Afridi's exclusion is debatable because it points out what your priorities are. Pakistan play five T20Is against New Zealand. Yes, he is the captain for the series, but that does not mean that he plays every game. You can have a stand-in captain and play with a different set of bowlers," he added.

But on the slip side, Butt reckoned that since the current test series is lost, Shaheen Afridi didn't deem the final test worth his efforts. Instead, he intends to win T20s in New Zealand as Pakistan players often look for face-saving wins.

Ultimately, Salman Butt opines that Afridi should have prioritized the SCG test considering that the World Test championship qualification is at stake.

"He should have played here, given that it is a World Test Championship match. He might have thought that since it is tough to win in Australia, he should rather play in the T20I series and try to win there. The Pakistani players only look for face-saving wins," said Butt.

That being said, Shaheen Afridi's exclusion from the SCG test continues to receive flak from all parts of the world. With cricket authorities voicing concerns over the relevance of test cricket, top players like Afridi snubbing the red ball format for T20s further fuels the negative narrative.