Ramiz Raja Questions Shaheen Afridi’s Attitude and Test Role

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has questioned Shaheen Afridi’s place in the red-ball set-up, pointing to concerns around the pacer’s fitness, attitude and treatment within the team.

Raja made the comments during an international podcast with Michael Vaughan, Alastair Cook, David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd and Phil Tufnell, as they discussed Pakistan’s fading pace-bowling threat in Test cricket.

Shaheen has been absent from Pakistan’s red-ball plans while continuing his recovery from a knee injury. Raja accepted that the fast bowler may not yet be fully fit, but suggested that fitness was not the only issue being discussed around him.

The former captain said the Shaheen Afridi attitude had become a talking point within the dugout. He linked it to Shaheen’s mood, treatment by the team and possible administrative lapses.

Raja stressed that he does not know Shaheen well enough to make a definitive judgement.

“I don’t know what’s happened with him, so obviously he’s not 100% after that knee injury. But people say there’s an attitude problem as well. I don’t know; I don’t know him well enough,” Raja said.

He added that those factors could affect Shaheen’s performances on his return.

The discussion also moved towards Pakistan Test cricket and the wider approach to developing young fast bowlers. Raja questioned the habit of labelling emerging players as limited-overs specialists before they have properly established themselves in the longest format.

His concern focused on players coming through the Pakistan Super League. He argued that the country needs cricketers who can handle the demands of five-day cricket and perform in difficult overseas conditions.

“There are two or three players in the PSL circuit who have been categorised as white-ball future assets, but that’s not going to work,” Raja said.

For Rameez Raja, England and Australia are important tests for any Pakistan player seeking a lasting reputation. He believes Test tours against leading sides give young cricketers a chance to prove themselves under pressure and attract global attention.

The comments arrive as Pakistan’s pace attack faces scrutiny, with the Shaheen Afridi attitude debate now adding another layer. The panel also discussed Pakistan Test cricket, along with left-arm spinner Ali Usman’s five-wicket haul at a venue traditionally viewed as favourable to fast bowlers, raising more questions about Pakistan’s seam department.

For Shaheen, the priority remains full fitness. Raja’s remarks have also opened a wider debate about his role, engagement with the team and Pakistan’s preparation of its next Test generation. That question now sits alongside debate over Pakistan’s pace resources.