Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has brushed aside any concerns on his workload after recent comments from their white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten. Notably, Kirsten had highlighted a major concern for Afridi regarding his workload.
The head coach had mentioned that him and Naseem have carried Pakistan’s major workload across formats and hence should be rested accordingly. However, Shaheen laughed off those concerns and gave example of the legendary Pakistan bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis who had no such concerns throughout their careers.
“First of all, if you are saying that I have bowled the most in the world (among bowlers in Test cricket)i.e three times moreâæ 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 have we made it such a big issue in the past one year that we have workload and players are getting injured,” said Shaheen on a Pakistan news channel.
Further speaking ahead, he said that one should make himself mentally and physically fit to fight through such period.
“I think it all depends on the individual how he treats each format. You will have to get mentally fit and strong that how will you react. If you react lazily then you will never be able to perform. If you ever go through a phase where you’re unable to perform then your body also gives you message. At that time you need the support of your management and the closed ones. I don’t know there’s nothing like workload. There isn’t much workload. I feel one should enjoy every format,” he added.
Afridi to return in England Test series
Meanwhile, Afridi is playing for Lions in the Champions One Day Cup and has picked nine wickets so far from four matches at an average of 29.33 and an economy of 6.62. He was rested in the recent second Test against Bangladesh which Pakistan lost by six wickets resulting in their first-ever series loss against the Asian rivals.
He will be next seen in the upcoming three-match Test series against England set to begin from October 7 as Pakistan look to end their there year-long victory drought on home soil.
