Australia’s Shaheen Afridi was left out of the third Test squad. Pakistan, According to Harsha Bhogle, “Looks A Bit Thin”

<p>The opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq and star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan have been rested for the third and final Test match against Australia, which gets underway on Wednesday. The playing lineup for Pakistan’s Test match against Australia in the New Year was revealed on Tuesday. Saim Ayub, age 21, and Sajid Khan, age 30, have been selected for the starting lineup. Saim, who made his T20 international cricket debut in March of last year, comes into the lineup having performed well for Karachi in List A. He has never participated in a Test match. At an average of 17.57, he has scored 123 runs in his eight T20I outings thus far.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-335775″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according–750×422.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com australias shaheen afridi was left out of the third test squad pakistan according” width=”786″ height=”442″ title=”Australia's Shaheen Afridi was left out of the third Test squad. Pakistan, According to Harsha Bhogle, "Looks A Bit Thin" 6″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according–750×422.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according–1024×576.jpg 1024w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according–768×432.jpg 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according–390×220.jpg 390w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according–150×84.jpg 150w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-australias-shaheen-afridi-was-left-out-of-the-third-test-squad-pakistan-according-.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px” /></p>
<p>Sajid Khan returns to the Test squad after a nearly two-year absence. He last participated in the competition in March 2022 when Australia was touring Pakistan. Sajid has a decent record of taking 22 wickets in seven Test matches.</p>
<p>Remarkable cricket pundit Harsha Bhogle offered an intriguing perspective on Shaheen Afridi’s exclusion. It’s a big decision to miss the Sydney Test without Shaheen Afridi. It seems a little bare without Shaheen and Abrar, who I had assumed would be Pakistan’s two main bowlers. Enjoying seeing Saim Ayub. He wrote on X, “I’ve heard a lot about him.</p>
<p>Being without Shaheen Afridi for the Sydney Test was a big decision. It seems a little bare without Shaheen and Abrar, who I had assumed would be Pakistan’s two main bowlers. Enjoying seeing Saim Ayub. He’s the subject of a lot of talk.</p>
<p>— Bhogle Harsha (@bhogleharsha) 2 January 2024<br />
Australia captain Pat Cummins said earlier today the starting lineup for the third and final Test match of the series against Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which starts on Wednesday, would remain intact.</p>
<p>Although it was expected that one of their three main quicks would be rested, Cummins said all three had bounced back well and were prepared to play. All eyes will be on veteran opener David Warner, who will be bidding farewell to the longest format of the game on Wednesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground in front of his home crowd.</p>
<p>Australia is expected to be prepared for the fight against Pakistan in Sydney, hoping to give the seasoned opener the best possible farewell. Warner leaves the format as Australia’s fifth-highest run-scorer.</p>
<p>The third Test will take place in Sydney from January 3–7. Australia has an unstoppable 2-0 lead in the series and is currently placed third in the ICC World Test Championship standings.</p>
<p>Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, and Aamer Jamal are the players from Pakistan who will play in the third Test.</p>
<p>Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood will be the Australia XI against Pakistan at the SCG.</p>