Shaheen Shah Afridi Aims for Test Comeback After Domestic Return

Shaheen Shah Afridi is focused on making a comeback to Pakistan's Test team after participating in the President's Trophy, his first red-ball match since 2019. With a strong record of 126 wickets in Test cricket, Afridi aims to leverage his domestic performance to secure a spot in the national squad. He acknowledges the challenges of transitioning back to red-ball cricket after a busy international schedule but remains committed to his goal. As captain of the ODI team, he looks forward to upcoming series against England and Sri Lanka, hoping to enhance his form and contribute to Pakistan's success in the Test arena.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 12, 2026, 23:15 IST

Afridi's Focus on Test Cricket

Shaheen Shah Afridi has emphasized that regaining his spot in Pakistan's Test team is a top priority. He made his return to competitive red-ball cricket during the President's Trophy on Saturday, marking his first appearance in this format since 2019. Currently, Afridi is not part of the Test squad, having been excluded from the teams for the upcoming tours to the West Indies and England.

Commitment to Red-ball Cricket

Since his Test debut in 2018, Afridi has taken 126 wickets across 34 matches. He aims to leverage his domestic performance to secure a Test recall. "Red-ball cricket is always my first priority," Afridi stated, as reported by the ICC. He expressed his passion for the format, noting that international commitments have limited his opportunities to play. "I haven't played much cricket recently, so this is a chance to engage in red-ball cricket," he added.

Looking Ahead

Pakistan is optimistic that Afridi's return will positively impact the Test team, especially after suffering a 3-0 defeat in the ICC World Test Championship series against England. A busy international schedule has kept Afridi away from red-ball cricket for extended periods. He remains the captain of Pakistan's ODI team, with a home tri-series against England and Sri Lanka on the horizon, followed by Test series against Sri Lanka and New Zealand later this year.

Learning from Experience

"I have learned a lot from my elder brother Riaz Afridi, who has extensive first-class experience," he mentioned. He believes that spending time on the field is crucial for building confidence and refining bowling techniques. Afridi intends to maintain the same bowling style in first-class matches as he does in Test cricket.

Challenges of Transitioning

Afridi acknowledged the difficulties of transitioning back to red-ball cricket after a significant break. "I haven't played red-ball cricket for several months. Before that, I was consistently playing in this format," he explained. He noted that switching from international to domestic cricket can be challenging due to the constant engagement in all three formats.

Current Performance and Team Status

In ODI cricket, Afridi has demonstrated his skill, finishing as the top wicket-taker in the recent Champions Cup, where he led his team to victory with impressive bowling figures of 7/36 in the final. Currently, Pakistan ranks ninth in the World Test Championship standings, having secured only two wins out of nine matches in this cycle.