SOUTH Australia are asking the question but don't necessarily expect the umpire - in this case Pakistan - to respond positively to their appeal.
Pakistani import Shahid Afridi has been a key player for the Redbacks in their run to the Twenty20 Big Bash final, mixing accurate and probing leg-spin with powerful middle-order hitting.
However, Afridi has also been named vice-captain for Pakistan for the one-day series against Australia starting in Brisbane on January 22 - the day before the Twenty20 final in Adelaide.
The Redbacks have requested Pakistan allow Afridi to return for the domestic decider but are yet to hear back and rate the all-rounder's chances of doing so as "slim".
SA coach Mark Sorell said he had prepared for life without Afridi, following Sunday's final round of Big Bash preliminary matches against NSW.
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"The question was being asked today but whether or not we get the answer we want is in the balance," Sorell said yesterday.
"You'd have to say it's only a slim chance. He's a significant player for them and you'd imagine they wouldn't want to risk him becoming unnecessarily fatigued.
"He's a high quality player and we'd love to have him available. But if not, other guys are just going to have to step up."
Earlier, Pakistan manager and selector Abdul Raqeeb said that consideration had not yet been given to the question of whether or not Afridi would be made available for the Redbacks.
"We have only named a squad for the one-day series and we are in the middle of a Test match," Raqeeb said.
"I can't make a comment now. That is a matter that would have to be decided when we can sit down with Shahid Afridi."
Whether or not Afridi plays in the Big Bash final, Sorell remains hopeful he and West Indies recruit Kieron Pollard will turn out for the Redbacks in the lucrative Champions League in India later in the year.
"Both of them have a few other commitments between now and then but ideally we'd like them to play for us and we think there is a good chance they will," Sorell said.
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