'Red-ball cricket is always my first priority' - Shaheen Afridi expresses enthusiasm ahead of domestic first-class comeback

Shaheen Afridi Returns to Redball: PCB's Condition for Test Recall

Big story for the Pakistan faithful. Shaheen Afridi is back on the redball track after nearly 7 years away from domestic first-class cricket. His last FC appearance was Oct 28, 2019 against Southern Punjab (QuaideAzam Trophy) for KRL. He kicks off the President's Trophy Grade-I today (Sat Sep 12) vs Ghani Glass at Imran Khan Stadium, Peshawar.

Here's the angle most miss: PCB have made this domestic stint a non-negotiable condition for his Test squad recall. Shaheen was skipped for the WI tour and the current England series (Pak sitting 30 down on day four at Edgbaston). Translation? He's got to earn his way back through performances, not sentiment.

The numbers don't lie: 126 Test wickets in 34 matches since his 2018 debut. That's elite-grade output. His FC debut in 2017 was legendary—8/39 in the second innings for KRL. But the three-format international grind has eaten into his longer-format minutes.

His own words say it all: "Redball cricket is always my first priority... I haven't been playing much cricket the last couple of months. So it's an opportunity to play redball." Smart framing. He's leaning on lessons from his elder brother Riaz (a domestic stalwart) about how time on the ground sharpens lines, lengths, and confidence in the longer game.

Notably, Shaheen's whiteball form is sizzling—he led Pakistan Gold to the National Champions Cup title last month, finishing as leading wicket-taker with 13 scalps incl. a hattrick in the final. So his match-fitness isn't in question. His message to younger pros? Play domestic when you're not representing the country. No excuses.

Housekeeping: The President's Trophy runs Sep 12–Oct 28, 2026. Eight teams, 28 four-day matches. Watch how this comeback shapes his England series prospects.

— Ishaan_K

Source: Crictracker