After Shaheen Afridi, two more Pakistan players left out of red-ball plans
Naseem Shah is not being considered for red-ball cricket due concerns over work ethic
LAHORE: Veteran spinner Noman Ali has reportedly been left out of Pakistan’s long-term Test plans, while fast bowler Naseem Shah is also not being considered for red-ball selection due to concerns over his work ethic, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.
The developments come as the national selection think tank continues to reshape the side’s red-ball strategy, with a clear focus on building a younger spin department for the future.
As a result, the 40-year-old has been excluded from the immediate and long-term planning structure, and his absence from the recent red-ball training camp is understood to be part of that decision.
For Pakistan’s next five Test matches, Abrar Ahmed and Sajid Khan are expected to remain the preferred spin options.
Noman last featured for Pakistan in the Test series against Bangladesh in Dhaka in May, where he picked up four wickets, before being dropped for the second Test in Sylhet.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that the team management is not fully satisfied with Naseem Shah’s work ethic, which has led to his omission from Pakistan’s current red-ball considerations.
Similar to fellow pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem is also believed to be outside the team’s immediate Test plans.
The right-arm fast bowler has reportedly been advised to focus on first-class cricket during the upcoming domestic season in order to strengthen his case for a return to Test contention.
His most recent appearance in the format came against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024, after which he has remained out of selection reckoning as the management reassesses its long-term direction.
It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently named a 22-member squad for a red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), which began earlier this week and will continue until July 10 as part of preparations for upcoming Test assignments.
The National team are scheduled to play a two-Test series against the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago from July 25 to 29 and August 2 to 6.
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