The 27-year-old Pakistan right-arm fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani is a consistent performer in domestic cricket. However, he hasn't been served for the Pakistan national cricket team since October 2022. Pakistan team selection flaw has once again been questioned with Shahnawaz Dahani's continuous non-selection due to a wrong reason.  

Shahnawaz Dahani made his international debut in 2021, and till October 2022, the right-arm fast bowler played two ODIs and 11 T20Is, where he picked up one and eight wickets, respectively. 

However, Shahnawaz is now a more mature bowler who performs consistently. In their recent domestic first-class tournament, the right-arm pacer finished as the joint sixth most wicket-taker with 28 wickets in 12 innings. Meanwhile, in the ongoing National T20 Cup, Shahnawaz is the second leading wicket-taker with eight wickets in four games. 

What led to Shahnawaz Dahani being dropped from Pakistan squad

In 2023, Shahnawaz Dahani was in the news for shocking reasons. While he wished Happy Holi through his Twitter (presently known as X) account, he faced massive criticism on social media. According to media reports, some senior Pakistan players asked him to delete that tweet, where he wished Happy Holi. 

Since then, he has been ignored from the national team, even when the regular pacers are struggling in international cricket. 

🚨 HINDUPHOBIA IN PAKISTAN CRICKET TEAM

"Shahnawaz Dahani was booted out of Pakistan cricket team because he wished Happy Holi to Pakistani Hindus. He deleted the post under pressure from senior team members.

Is there no place for Hindus in Pak? pic.twitter.com/xjYhQVugUT

— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) March 14, 2026

It is not a new story in Pakistan cricket. Previously, the former Pakistan leg-spinner Danish Kaneria also criticised the Pakistan team's system. While the spinner claimed that some Pakistan players refused to eat with him because he is a Hindu, another former Pakistan fast bowler and his teammate Shoaib Akhtar revealed that the player was mistreated in the Pakistan team.   

Fans react after Dahani’s omission from the team

Fans aren't shocked by Dahani's long absence from the national team, even when Pakistan's regular pacers are struggling hugely. Some fans have also come up with similar past incidents in the Pakistan cricket team.

No surprises really. Whole world knows how they treated Danish Kaneria as well.

— India__93 (@tyagiakash93) March 14, 2026

This is exactly why Pakistan as a Nation is what it is today. As long as this attitude continues, Pakistan will remain in the garbage dump.

— the aviation evangelist (@ManiRayaprolu) March 14, 2026

In 1985, Benson & Hedges World championship Imran Khan had called Pakistan wicket keeper Anil Dalpat, “Bastard” and reportedly continued to hurl insults at him because of being a Hindu. However no action was taken against Imran and worse still Anil Dalpat’s career nosedived from…

— Dev🇮🇳 (@Divesh3786) March 14, 2026

What’s next for Shahnawaz Dahani after Pakistan's setback

Shahnawaz Dahani is still fighting to earn a spot in the national team. Even after the T20 World Cup 2026, while Pakistan are touring Bangladesh, the pacer hasn't been selected for the tour. 

After playing 34 first-class matches, 53 List A games, and 70 T20s, the right-arm fast bowler picked up 122, 90, and 93 wickets, respectively. Former Pakistan bowling coach Shaun Tait once called the Pakistan pacer Don. 

While Shahnawaz was unsold in the PSL 2026 auction, Peshawar Zalmi signed him later for the upcoming PSL season.