Shaheen Afridi eyes Test comeback, makes red-ball cricket top priority

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has made his intentions clear: he wants to return to the Test team, and red-ball cricket is now at the centre of that ambition.

The left-arm pacer is set to return to domestic first-class cricket as the President’s Trophy Grade-I begins on September 12, giving him an important opportunity to rebuild his credentials in the longest format. Shaheen will represent Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), his former departmental side, in the tournament.

The comeback is particularly significant because Shaheen has spent years focusing largely on international cricket and has had limited opportunities to play domestic first-class matches. His last confirmed domestic first-class appearance came in October 2019, when he represented Northern against Southern Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

Speaking about his return to the format, Shaheen said he has always enjoyed playing longer-form cricket. However, his demanding international schedule meant he rarely had the opportunity to spend extended periods in domestic red-ball cricket.

According to the fast bowler, playing more first-class cricket can bring significant benefits to a bowler’s game.

He believes spending time in the domestic red-ball circuit helps build confidence while also improving line and length, two crucial elements for sustained success in Test cricket.

Shaheen also intends to approach his first-class matches with the same mindset and bowling discipline that he has used at the international Test level. For him, the President’s Trophy is not simply a domestic assignment but a chance to prove that he remains ready for the demands of five-day cricket.

The timing could hardly be more important. Shaheen has recently been left out of Pakistan’s Test squads for the West Indies and England tours, leaving him outside the national red-ball setup. A strong domestic campaign could give the selectors a reason to reconsider his Test prospects.

The 26-year-old pacer, however, has already shown signs of a strong response to his omission. He played a key role in Pakistan Gold’s National Champions Cup triumph, finishing the tournament as its leading wicket-taker with 13 wickets, including a hat-trick in the final.

Now, the challenge is different.

Instead of short bursts of white-ball cricket, Shaheen will have to demonstrate his ability to maintain pace, accuracy and discipline over long spells and multiple days.

The President’s Trophy features eight teams and 28 four-day matches, with the top two sides advancing to the five-day final on October 28.

For Shaheen, every spell could therefore carry extra significance. “A successful red-ball return may not only revive his domestic career but also reopen the door to Pakistan’s Test dressing room.”