Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Afridi believes that workload management is unnecessary and is largely dependent on individual players. He noted that he personally doesn’t feel the strain, drawing parallels to the legendary Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis from the 90s.
Afridi emphasized that mental fitness is crucial for succeeding in consecutive series. Notably, there was no T20 or franchise cricket during Akram and Waqar’s time. His comments come ahead of the three-match home Test series against England next month.
Since 2021, Shaheen Afridi has featured in 18 Tests, bowling 609 overs and taking 76 wickets. Discussing his rest during the third Test in Australia earlier this year, Afridi shared his thoughts with Samaa TV:
“First of all, if you are saying that I have bowled the most in the world (among bowlers in Test cricket)… but if you look in the past, all our legends bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, at that time there was no workload issue.”
“I don’t know why we have made it a big topic over the last one year that there is workload, players are getting injured. We are considering it more important. It depends individually on the players, how they play in particular formats. You need to be mentally fit and strong on how to react in different circumstances.”
He added:
“If you feel lazy, you cannot perform anytime. I know there is a time when you cannot perform anymore where you try but your body reacts similarly. You try to release it differently and come up with (new) techniques, similarly with batting but it takes time to overcome that.”
“It’s a small period where you need support from the management and close ones, who need to give you positive messages. I don’t know about the workload, it isn’t that much but I feel that everyone should enjoy regardless of the format.”
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Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif criticized Shaheen Afridi for his decline in pace, stating (according to sportingnews.com):
“How can Shaheen’s speed decrease? In 2022, he was bowling at 144 kph. If Shoaib Akhtar bowled at 120 kph, would anyone have watched him? After six months, he would come back and bowl at 150 kph. How have the current bowlers dropped to 130?”
“Shaheen has delivered three times as many overs as any fast bowler globally”- Gary Kirsten on Shaheen Afridi
Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten recently cautioned the selectors and team management regarding Shaheen Afridi’s workload. The 2011 World Cup-winning coach stated (according to cricketpakistan.com):
“Shaheen has bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler in the world over the last 18 months. That’s alarming — you’re bound to wear him down eventually.”
Shaheen Afridi is currently participating in Pakistan’s Champions One-Day Cup 2024. The Men in Green are hopeful that the fast bowler will be fit for all three Tests against England in October.
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