AUS vs PAK: ‘I Don’t Understand This’ – Waqar Younis Lambasts Shaheen Afridi for Missing Sydney Test

Following in the footsteps of ex-Pakistan bowler Wasim Akram, iconic fast bowler Waqar Younis criticized Shaheen Shah Afridi for opting to skip the third Test against Australia in Sydney and prioritize rest for the T20I series against New Zealand.

Afridi was the standout for Pakistan bowlers in the previous two Tests, but Australia walked away with the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. There have been reports that Shaheen is getting a break in the Sydney Test, possibly with an eye on the T20I series against New Zealand.

Pakistan is set to play five T20Is in New Zealand starting from January 12, and the series will also mark Shaheen’s first outing as the regular T20I captain of the Men in Green. The T20 series will also serve as practice and preparation ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.

Here’s what Waqar Younis said on Channel 7:

“We play for Test match cricket. We don’t play for T20s or one-day cricket. And if you’re missing Test match cricket purely because you are being rested, I do not understand.”

“That’s a real shocker for me because I was expecting him to be a part of this Test match because he looked good in the previous match. He started feeling like the old Shaheen Afridi and started to swing the ball and the pace was getting better.”