ROTTERDAM: Pakistan's frontline pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will not be available for the first two ODIs against the Netherlands.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Monday, confirmed that Afridi will not play the first two games against the Netherlands which are scheduled here on August 16 and 18.
Afridi is healing from a knee injury that he suffered during the Test against Sri Lanka last month.
On the other hand, the national team's skipper Babar Azam is eyeing to score another century which will make him the only Pakistani captain with 10 international centuries.
Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan needs 18 more runs to complete his 1000 runs in ODI cricket.
Reflecting on team’s preparation ahead of the series, Babar Azam said:
"It’s great to be here in Netherlands for the first time. The weather and the hospitality is very good here and we are being looked after really well,
"I do follow Netherlands cricket and I am impressed with their passion for the game. I am very hopeful that the series starting tomorrow will go a long way to promote the game in this region,
"We will not become complacent here and the players are ready to express themselves at the ground. In the absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi, this is an opportunity for youngsters to come forward and showcase their skills,
"We are looking forward to a good contest between bat and ball and I am hopeful the fans will turn up in numbers to witness the series."
16 Aug – 1st ODI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam
18 Aug – 2nd ODI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam
21 Aug – 3rd ODI; VOC Cricket Ground, Rotterdam