Karachi: Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has suggested that key players Shadab Khan and Shaheen Shah Afridi should be rested for the fifth and final T20I against New Zealand, scheduled to be played in Wellington today. Wednesday.

Afridi, in a social media post on X, emphasised the need to provide opportunities to bench players, particularly with the series already lost after New Zealand’s emphatic 115-run victory in the fourth match.

“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.

Shaheen, Pakistan’s spearhead pacer, has also endured a disappointing series, picking up just two wickets in as many matches at an average of 66.50 and an economy rate of 10.23.

Pakistan’s 115-run loss to New Zealand at Bay Oval on Sunday marked their biggest defeat in T20I history in terms of runs, surpassing their previous worst loss of 95 runs, also against New Zealand in Wellington in 2016.

Published in The Daily National Courier, March, 26 2025

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