Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi urged experienced duo all-rounder Shadab Khan and pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to be rested for the coming fifth T20I against New Zealand, to be played in Wellington on Wednesday

 Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi demanded rest for Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan for the last T20I between New Zealand and Pakistan. The national cricket team of Pakistan lost the series 3-1 after New Zealand had defeated the national team by 115 runs in the fourth match.

The hosts had won the first two T20Is earlier in identical manner, but Pakistan saw some glimpses of their brilliance during the third game when they pursued a humongous 205-run target in just one wicket and 24 balls when Hasan Nawaz's record hundred.

With the series now beyond Pakistan's reach, Afridi feels it is a good time to let the reserve players have their share of playing. He suggested keeping Shadab and Shaheen out for the last game so that cover players can get an opportunity and some much-needed experience.

With a series victory now beyond Pakistan's grasp, the country's former all-rounder Afridi called on management to provide an opportunity for young players by resting veterans such as Shaheen and Shaeen for the less thrilling match.

"For the last game, the bench players should be provided with an opportunity after losing the series, Shadab and Shaheen can be rested and reserve players can be provided with an opportunity," Shahid Afridi posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Shadab, who had come back to the national side after the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, found it difficult to find his footing. He managed just 30 runs in three innings, at a sub-par average of a mere 10. The all-rounder managed to bowl just one wicket in four matches.

Shaheen also underperformed. The left-arm pacer managed only two wickets from two games with a disappointing average of 66.50 and an economy of 10.23.