PCB Unhappy With Naseem Shah? Pacer Likely To Be Dropped From WI, England Tests

Naseem Shah [Source: AFP]

Pace maverick Naseem Shah has seemingly fallen out of Pakistan’s Test plans, at least as per latest reports. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the Pakistan team management is apparently not happy with Naseem’s work ethics, which might lead to his exclusion from the national squad from the upcoming Test tours of West Indies and England. 

Senior left-arm spinner Noman Ali might also face the axe ahead of the two crucial tours, albeit for an entirely different reason. 

Naseem Shah likely to miss West Indies, England Test flights

As reported by Geo News, the PCB and the Pakistan team management is not happy with young fast bowler Naseem Shah. The report indicates that the management is not impressed with the speedster’s work ethics. 

Having already fallen out of Pakistan’s Test plans, the 23-year-old is also not in consideration for his team’s upcoming tours of West Indies and England. It is worth noting that Naseem Shah played the last of his 20 Test matches for Pakistan way back in December 2024 during a series in South Africa. 

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In his 20-match Test career, the speedster has nabbed 60 wickets so far at a slightly expensive bowling average of 35.13. 

Noman Ali to be sidelined due to age factor

Noman Ali has also seemingly joined Naseem Shah among Pakistan bowlers set to be sidelined from their future Test plans. However, in Noman’s case, the decision appears to be driven primarily by the age factor, with the selectors seemingly keen to invest in younger options as part of Pakistan’s long-term red-ball plans.

Aged 39, the left-arm spinner has racked up an impressive collection of 101 Test wickets in just 42 innings spanning 22 matches. He also maintains a tight bowling average of 25.08.

However, in his latest Test appearance for Pakistan, Noman Ali remained highly ineffective despite his four-wicket match haul in Mirpur as hosts Bangladesh secured a comprehensive 104-run win. 

Naseem rested by Pakistan for Asian Games 2026

Naseem, along with several other star Pakistani performers like Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam and Shadab Khan were all rested by the PCB from the upcoming Asian Games 2026. 

The PCB selection committee named in-form opener Sahibzada Farhan as team captain, and also included the likes of Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Saad Masood among others. 

Pakistan to tour West Indies and England

Pakistan, on a trail of a shambolic 0-2 series loss in Bangladesh, will now tour West Indies for a two-match Test series next month. The Pakistan cricket team will also travel to England to play three Test matches between August 19 and September 13. 

All five Tests will also constitute a part of the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

The ‘Men in Green’ are currently ranked eighth on the WTC points table with a solitary win and three defeats from four matches. 

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