No Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi As Pakistan Pick Shadab Khan As Captain For Afghanistan T20Is

Senior Pakistan cricketers, including captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, have been rested for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning in Sharjah on March 24. The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) national selection committee has also not included opener Muhammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and veteran batter Fakhar Zaman in the squad to be led by all-rounder Shadab Khan. Four new faces -- fast bowlers Ihsanullah, Zaman Khan and batters Tayyab Tahir and Saim Ayub -- have been included along with sidelined players Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim.

"I have spoken to Babar, Rizwan, Haris, Shaheen and Fakhar and taken them into confidence about the fact that we are using this series as a testing ground to try out new players and recall some of those who have performed well in the PSL (Pakistan Super League)," said chairman of the PCB management committee Najam Sethi on Monday.

Sethi said the seniors needed rest and added their place in the side was secure.

"Their places are confirmed in the team and we have given them genuine rest. There is no threat to our established captain, he remains captain of the national squad. The day he says I want to leave captaincy of one or more formats, that will be his decision. He is our top star and I am happy he has supported our initiative," said Sethi.

Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said the plan was to develop and test "our new players against Afghanistan".

"It is a tour to groom and assess our talent properly." Sethi also expressed disappointment with speculation in the media around selection of the team team and captain, saying it was unfair.

"No one asked us. Let me tell you, Shaheen (Afridi) was never under consideration for captaincy for this