Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has suggested resting all-rounder Shadab Khan and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, which will take place on Wednesday in Wellington. His call comes after Pakistan lost the fourth T20I, giving New Zealand an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.
New Zealand dominated the fourth match with a commanding 115-run victory, fueled by Finn Allen’s explosive half-century and Jacob Duffy’s four-wicket performance. The hosts secured victories in the first two matches, while Pakistan showed resilience in the third, where Hasan Nawaz’s century helped them chase down a target of 205 runs.
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With the series already decided, Afridi urged the team management to rest key players like Shadab and Shaheen, offering younger players a chance in the final fixture. “For the final game, the players on the bench should be given a chance – with the series lost, Shadab and Shaheen can be rested and replacements given an opportunity,” Afridi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Shadab, who returned to international cricket after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, has struggled for form, scoring only 30 runs across three innings at an average of 10 and taking just one wicket in four matches. Similarly, Shaheen’s performance has been below par, with two wickets in two games at an average of 66.50 and an economy rate of 10.23.
Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand will conclude with the final T20I in Wellington, where the team will aim to end the series on a positive note.
