LAHORE, Sept 27: All-rounder Shahid Afridi was released on Thursday on his own request as Pakistan prepared to announce a 15-member squad for the first Test against South Africa, starting in Karachi from Monday.
Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told Dawn on Thursday that Afridi’s request regarding his exclusion from the two-Test series had been accepted. The decision, however, was taken after middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf declared his availability to the selectors, he clarified.
Salahuddin added that a 15-member squad will be named for the first Test on Friday with Yousuf also joining the national team in Karachi on Saturday for practice.