Former Pakistan captain and former PCB chairman Rameez Raja, while discussing fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s absence from the Test team, said the matter is not limited to his knee injury. He said factors including behaviour and how a player conducts himself within the team can also affect performance.

During a podcast discussion with former England cricketers Sir Alastair Cook, David Lloyd, Michael Vaughan and Phil Tufnell, Rameez Raja was asked about Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion from the Test team.

Rameez Raja said he did not know exactly what had happened with Shaheen, but following his knee injury, he might not be 100% fit. He added that people also talk about Shaheen’s behaviour, although he does not know him closely enough to give a definitive opinion on the matter.

The former PCB chairman said there is also a general perception within the team that Shaheen is not always fully mentally present. He said fluctuations in mood, not being treated appropriately, or administrative issues could also affect his performance on the field.

It is worth noting that Pakistan are currently involved in a three-Test series against England, while Shaheen Afridi was not part of the Test squad for the tours of the West Indies and England. He was dropped from the Test team following the first Test against Bangladesh in May.

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