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Shaheen Afridi, the Pakistan fast bowler has given a strong response to white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten, who had expressed concern about his excessive workload, which could lead to injuries. The 24-year-old disagreed with the analysis of the former South Africa captain, stating that the workload management in recent times is an overstated concept, while comparing his generation with the legendary Pakistan bowlers of the 90s, including names like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Notably, in the last couple of years, Shaheen Afridi has had his fair share of injuries, which has seemingly slowed him down in terms of his performances not being quite at their best despite bowling a lot of overs in domestic, franchise, and international cricket respectively. Gary Kirsten also alluded to the high number of overs delivered by the left-arm fast bowler, and felt concerned about how it might wear down the Pakistan cricketer in the long run.
If you look in the past, there was no workload issue: Shaheen Afridi
But, during his recent interview, Shaheen Afridi rubbished the comments from the white-ball coach of Pakistan in regard to the workload management for the bowlers in the team. He was quoted as saying, as per Tribune, “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.”
The 24-year-old also spoke about how a mentally fit and strong cricketer would find a way to get through the rigours of bowling, and compete consistently for his team. He said, “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.”
“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,” concluded Shaheen Afridi, who is widely regarded as one of the best fast bowlers of his generation.
