Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has called upon all -rounder Shadab Khan and Pesar Shaheen Shah Afridi to rest for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand on Wednesday in Wellington.
New Zealand took a 3–1 lead in the series, with a 115-run win in the fourth T20I, run by Finn Alan’s explosive half-century and Jacob Dafi’s Char-Cicket Hall.
The hosts dominated the first two matches, while Pakistan showed flexibility in the third T20I, successfully chased 205 runs with Hasan Nawaz’s record-breaking century.
The series already decided, Afridi urged the team management to provide opportunities to young players in the final stability.
“For the final game, players on the bench should be given an opportunity – with the series Lost, Shadab and Shaheen can be rested and replacement can be given an opportunity,” Afridi wrote on Twitter in the east on X.
Returning to international cricket after ICC Mains T20 World Cup 2024, Shadab fought for the form, scoring just 30 runs in three innings at an average of 10. With the ball, he managed only one wicket in four matches.
Shaheen’s performance was also below expectations, on average, two wickets in more than an average of 66.50 and an economy rate of 10.23.
Pakistan will conclude its tour of New Zealand with the final T20I in Wellington on Wednesday.
