Shahid Afridi Wants To Improve Pakistan's Bench Strength By Forming Two National Teams

Afridi was named the chief of the new interim selection committee by the Pakistan Cricket Board on December 24. The committee also includes Abdul Razzaq and Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

Apparently, the decision comes after Pakistan were outplayed at home by the visiting England team, led by Ben Stokes, losing the Test series 3-0. The home team's bowling looked exposed without the injured duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.

“I want to create two teams for Pakistan before my tenure ends in order to improve bench strength,” Afridi said in an interview quoted by Hindustan Times.

Reports of a lack of communication between the Pakistani cricketers and the selection committee have also made the rounds.

“I feel like there was a lack of communication in the past. I got to know about the issues of players by speaking to them individually. I directly spoke to Haris (Sohail) and Fakhar (Zaman). I believe there should be a direct line of communication between the players and the selection committee,” stated Afridi.

BCCI and ECB employed a similar strategy over the last year, which has resulted in India and England having backup players if needed.

Meanwhile, Pakistan drew the 1st Test against New Zealand in Karachi and the 2nd Test will be played at the same venue starting January 2nd.