In the tough 2024-25 season, Pakistan’s decision to bench major players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah in the remaining England Tests is making waves. It comes after a devastating 823-run single innings loss in the first Multan Test. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) says it’s for the players and cricket’s well-being in Pakistan.
Now, people are questioning about the team’s hefty future workload. How busy is Pakistan’s international cricket timetable? And what does it imply for the team’s future and its players?
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Resting Stars Amid a Grueling Schedule
Without a doubt, Pakistan’s cricket 2024-25 season is jam-packed. Over 50 games are due before April 2025, like four Tests, 19 ODIs, and 12 T20Is. Extra knockout matches could happen in the tri-series and the esteemed Champions Trophy. This constant cricket action has led the team’s decision-makers to act early. They recently left out Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah from the last two England Tests. The decision wasn’t just about the players’ fatigue. Selector Aaqib Javed shared it was also about the packed “International schedule for Pakistan 2024-25.” They want to keep their athletes fresh, injury-free and prepared for back-to-back games.
Key Players Miss Out on Crucial Tests
People are curious about the missing key players, given Pakistan’s recent successes. The team’s captain, Babar Azam, top run-scorer, and prime fast bowlers, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, are the backbone of Pakistan’s team. Their non-participation might risk games, considering the upcoming critical series with England. Pakistan wants to recover from the setback faced at Multan. Yet, Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan’s coach, justifies it, stating, “We have loads of cricket to play; we’ll be constantly on the move till April.” A section of fans and critics believe it’s a logical step to avoid player burnout, yet, some think it’s an impulsive move amidst the active England series.
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How Does Pakistan’s Schedule Compare?
Comparing cricket schedules from around the world for the 2024-25 season, Pakistan comes in with fewer match days only to New Zealand. New Zealand is looking at 58 possible match days, just ahead of Pakistan’s 54. Even India, famous for its full-to-brim calendar, has one less potential match day, making Pakistan shoulder one of the greatest burdens among nations playing Test cricket. Here’s a table that details the scheduled matches for the leading teams until April 2025:
| Team | Tests | ODIs | T20Is | Potential Matchdays |
| Afghanistan | 2 | 6 | 3 | 21 |
| Australia | 7 | 6 | 3 | 46 |
| Bangladesh | 4 | 9 | 6 | 37 |
| England | 5 | 6 | 5 | 38 |
| India | 8 | 6 | 5 | 53 |
| New Zealand | 6 | 16 | 9 | 58 |
| Pakistan | 4 | 19 | 12 | 54 |
| South Africa | 6 | 10 | 3 | 46 |
| Sri Lanka | 4 | 9 | 8 | 39 |
| West Indies | 2 | 9 | 8 | 29 |
| Zimbabwe | 4 | 12 | 12 | 46 |
Pakistan frequently uses their key players in all three cricket styles, leading to additional strain. Notably, India and New Zealand tend to keep their all-round players on a rotation, steering clear of exhaustion. Recently, the PCB’s decision to give Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah some time off might be a step towards an enduring method.
Pakistan’s Upcoming Challenges
Pakistan’s cricketing scene will soon be packed. They face England in a Test series first. Next, they’ll play short-form cricket in Australia and Zimbabwe. A full tour in South Africa follows. Come early 2025, three ODIs and T20Is in New Zealand await them. Back home, a three-way series with South Africa and New Zealand is on the calendar. The showstopper? The Champions Trophy. If they qualify, the semi-finals and the grand final beckon. This busy run through 2024-25 is a juggling act – blending player workload and peak performance across all cricketing disciplines will test the team’s management.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s 2024-25 cricket season is busy! The choice to bench star players – Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah – right in the middle of a series? Well, it’s about the jam-packed schedule they have till April 2025. We’ve heard the chatter, but this just shows how the team must juggle its players wisely. As we watch the rest of the season, how well Pakistan can shuffle and save their best players?
It’s key for their big-picture plan. Keep an eye out for more juicy stuff on Pakistan’s cricket situation and the newest scoop on worldwide cricket happenings!
