WATCH: Pakistan skipper Shaheen Afridi gives massive fitness update to fans ahead of 1st T20I vs New Zealand

Pakistan T20I skipper Shaheen Afridi has recently provided fresh updates on his injury ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand, which is slated to take place on January 12 at Eden Park in Auckland. Notably, the great seamer missed the last and final Test match against Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, citing fitness issues ahead of the game.

However, his statement caused major controversy in the cricketing world, as a plethora of cricket pundits and fans have started slamming him for preferring the T20I format over Test cricket. Following the same, the left-arm seamer went on to clarify his fitness and how much he loves playing the longest format of the game.

Watch out the full video here:

🗣️ "I love Test cricket and it’s always been my first priority"

Shaheen Afridi updates on his fitness and discloses the reason behind resting in the SCG Test 👀#CricketTwitter #ShaheenAfridi #NZvPAK pic.twitter.com/lWk8siAIff

— CricWick (@CricWick) January 11, 2024

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old cricketer talked about the team’s combination ahead of the first match of the T20I series against New Zealand, which is preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024. Notably, the Men in Green are extremely great sides in the shortest format, as they ended up being the runner-up of the T20 World Cup 2022 after being thrashed by England.

“Babar and Rizwan will always be the best opening pair for Pakistan. I think we have 17 matches before the World Cup, and we should try different combinations and try to figure out which player fits in which position and we will try to play them [in that position]. There might be some changes, or maybe not. But the effort will be to have the team combination ready before the England tour. In the four T20s against England before T20 World Cup, we should know our best playing XI,” Shaheen Afridi said being quoted by Cricket Pakistan.

It’s very exciting challenge and proud moment for me to represent Pakistan: Shaheen Afridi

Shaheen Afridi is extremely excited and feeling proud to lead his side for the first time after Babar Azam stepped down owing to the poor ODI World Cup 2023 in host country India.

“It’s very exciting challenge and a proud moment for me to represent Pakistan. Not easy, first time captaincy, new challenge and in New Zealand. We have a very good track record against New Zealand but they are one of the best teams in the world so we’ll try to do our best,” he added further.