Former cricketer and Pakistan’s interim chief selector Shahid Afridi explained the absence of Shadab Khan from the ODI squad at a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against New Zealand.

Afridi announced the squad that will take on the New Zealanders on Thursday. Pakistani ace spinner Shadab Khan will miss out on the ODI series against the Black Caps after suffering a fracture of his right index finger, playing the Big Bash League in Australia.

With Pakistan scheduled to play 11 ODIs in the run-up to the ICC World Cup 2023, Afridi highlighted that they would like to give optimum opportunities to consistent performers through these games. Speaking at the conference about Shadab, Afridi said.

Pakistan will take on New Zealand at the National Stadium Karachi in the first ODI of the series on Monday. Mohammad Rizwan is the only wicketkeeper named in this squad, with uncapped batter Tayyab Tahir and wrist spinner Usama Mir also making their way into the squad that will take on New Zealand.

Shadab Khan has become an important part of this Pakistani squad, picking up 71 wickets in 51 ODI innings so far at an average of 31.64 and an economy of 5.09. He made his ODI debut vs West Indies at Providence Stadium on April 7, 2017. The star spinner plies his trade with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash league. The 24-year-old suffered a finger injury recently while playing against the Sydney Thunders.

Shadab Khan has taken a total of seven wickets in five matches at an average of 20.57 for the Hurricanes in the BBL 2022-23 season so far including a stunning caught and bowled effort against the Perth Scorchers, bringing his side back into that game.