Shaheen Afridi released from Pakistan Squad in the middle of 2nd Test - Reasons Revealed

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The Pakistan team management has released Shaheen Afridi from the squad following his omission from the 2nd Test against Bangladesh.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement announcing Shaheen's release from the squad, citing a decision which was taken for the bowler to spend time with his family.

Shaheen Afridi released to spend time with Family: PCB

"The team management has decided to release Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test squad to allow him to spend time with his family. Shaheen, who featured in the first Test against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 20 to 25 August, is not part of the 12-member squad announced on Thursday for the second Test match," the statement from PCB read.

Shaheen Afridi was dropped from the Pakistan playing XI for the 2nd Test for a strategic decision as per their coach Jason Gillespie, but things are not rosy in the Pakistan camp in recent times.

There have been reported physical altercations in the Pakistan team involving Shaheen Afridi, which said that the former Pakistan T20 captain was in a scuffle with captain Shan Masood. As per the reports, Mohammad Rizwan was also attacked when trying to stop the duo from fighting.

Pakistan suffered a dismal defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the 1st Test in Rawalpindi. The second Test has started from Friday (August 30) but the first day was unplayable due to rain in Rawalpindi.

Shaheen, who became a father recently, will have some time to spend with his family, but it can be said that the pacer has been left out of the squad amid a tumultuous environment in the camp.

If Pakistan are to come back in the series, they will have to play exceptional cricket if the match resumes amid the rainy conditions. Babar Azam, Shan Masood and others will have step up with the bat whereas the bowlers will also have to showcase their mettle against a sturdy Bangladesh side.