Pakistan captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan are reluctant to miss the three-match T20 International against Afghanistan in Sharjah.

According to a media report, the selection committee led by Haroon Rasheed, is considering a request to rest some senior players, including Babar and Rizwan. The report further added that Shaheen Afridi is likely to lead the Pakistan team in place of Babar.

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However, sources close to the duo say that both of them are keen to join the series.

No high-ranking official from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) or the CEO contacted them about the suspension from the above-mentioned series. There is not much pressure on Babar and Rizwan during PSL as there is enough rest between games in the league. So, they feel refreshed and don’t need another rest.

Sources close to them added that if they are forced to retire, this step could disrupt the unity of the team. After a long time, all players in the room replace each other.

It should be noted that many players of the national team of Afghanistan are participating in the ongoing PSL and are performing well. Hence, the series against the Afghanistan team will not be a cakewalk for the Men in Green.

When contacted PCB sources about the matter, they said that no final decision has been taken yet. The selection committee is still considering various options.

Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the PCB on Thursday agreed to make a slight change in the schedule of the series.

The start of the series is brought forward by a day and will now start on March 24, with the last two matches to be played on March 26 and 27 in Sharjah, UAE.