Test axing leaves Shaheen dejected

Concerns have been raised about tall pacer's bowling action and speed

KARACHI:

Pakistan's left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi is heartbroken after being dropped from the recently announced 12-member squad for the second Test, expressing deep sadness over what he perceives as continuous unfair treatment.

According to the details, the blame for the humiliating defeat against Bangladesh in the first Test match in Rawalpindi has been unfairly placed on Shaheen. Despite his consistent efforts, he has become the only player to be dropped from the squad for the second Test. Mir Hamza and Abrar Ahmed have been included in the 12-member squad.

Shaheen was granted permission to go to Karachi to meet his newborn child Aliyaar after the first Test, but was unexpectedly called back to Rawalpindi just two days later. Sources reveal that when the team management informed him of being dropped, the young pacer was left in shock, struggling to understand why he was recalled if there were no plans to play him.

This is not the first setback for Shaheen as before the 2024 T20 World Cup, he was removed from the T20I captaincy after just one series defeat against New Zealand. Concerns have also been raised about his bowling action and speed. Recently, he was also stripped of the vice-captaincy in Test matches, adding to his frustrations.

According to sources, these recent events have taken a significant toll on Shaheen Afridi, who even sacrificed lucrative league contracts to remain available for Test cricket. By being dropped, he received a strong and disheartening message.

It has been revealed that a member of the national team management played a key role in his exclusion from the second Test against Bangladesh. Although none of the players performed well in the match, Shaheen was unfairly singled out, leaving him visibly unhappy and disillusioned.

Naming rights for Gaddafi Stadium sold for Rs.1 billion

The naming rights for Gaddafi Stadium Lahore have been sold for one billion rupees under a five-year contract with a Punjab-based bank. This deal marks a significant increase from the 450 million rupees previously secured for the naming rights of National Stadium Karachi over the same duration. The new administration has thus achieved a deal worth more than double the previous amount.

As part of the preparations for the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan Cricket Board is investing billions in upgrading stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, with efforts underway to offset some of these expenses through such strategic agreements.

Recently, the PCB issued a tender for the naming rights of Gaddafi Stadium Lahore, and sources confirmed that a five-year agreement has been reached with a Punjab-based bank for one billion rupees. Consequently, the name of Gaddafi Stadium will be changed to reflect the bank's name.

For context, during former chairman Ramiz Raja's tenure in 2022, the naming rights of National Stadium Karachi were sold for 450 million rupees and the venue is now known as the National Bank Cricket Arena. The five-year contract for National Stadium Karachi will conclude in 2027. Under the leadership of Mohsin Naqvi, the current PCB administration has secured a naming rights contract for Gaddafi Stadium Lahore valued at more than double the amount received for National Stadium Karachi.

Chairman Naqvi has also developed several strategies to enhance revenue streams for domestic cricket, which are expected to bring substantial benefits to the PCB. Naming sports stadiums after sponsors is a common global practice, with many cricket venues in Australia and England following this model. This approach significantly boosts revenue sources, and the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to pursue similar sponsorship deals for additional stadiums in the future.