The Pakistan team
management has decided to rest four senior players during the ODI series
against Afghanistan, sources claimed.

The three-match series will be played in Sri Lanka in the
first week of September.

Captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan and
pacers Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi are likely to be rested for the
series, the sources said.

The decision is probably taken to manage the workload of
players before T20 World Cup, the mega-event which will be played in
October-November this year.

Statistically speaking, the men-in-Green have played more
games than any other team except England since the Covid-19 outbreak.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam have played 44 and 40,
respectively. This is more international games than any player in the world
since April 2020.

Shaheen featured in 37 and Hasan, since his comeback early
this year, have played 20 games across all formats. 

On Wednesday, Rizwan also hinted at the possibility of
resting seniors.

“We have been playing regularly over the past eight to 10
months and that too in a bio-bubble which is tough,” said Rizwan in a press
conference. “As you all know that our main target is the World Cup, which is
why the main players want to rest mentally and come back fresh for the World
Cup and other major series before that.”

“As it [matches against Afghanistan] is an ODI series, we
can also test our bench strength and give opportunities to other players,” he
added.

Who will captain the
Pakistan Team?

If the reports are to be believed, this would mean that
Shahdab Khan, who is the vice-captain of the ODI side, would lead the team.
With Rizwan rested, Sarfaraz Ahmed might get an opportunity to keep wickets for
the hosts.

Mohammad Wasim junior may make his ODI debut while Naseem
Shah is likely to be included in the side as well.