Pakistan’s bowling coach Waqar Younis said that the national team management is keeping a close eye on the workload and fitness of all the pace bowlers. They are also keeping in mind the upcoming tight schedule, they are also now started working on a rotation policy for the pacers in order to manage their workload.
Waqar, a former Pakistan captain, further said they are particularly keeping a close on Shaheen Shah Afridi, who can be rested for some of the T20I matches of the ongoing home series against South Africa, as he has been playing non-stop in all formats of the game.
The coach further admitted that Pakistan has a good bunch of pace bowlers to choose from for all three formats of the game, but they need to adopt a rotation policy for the pace bowlers with a lot of international cricket lined up for the Men in Green from 2021 to 2023.
Waqar said: “Our medical panel, our trainers, and myself we now keep a close eye on the workload and fitness of all the pace bowlers. Very soon with the Pakistan Super League and a lot of international cricket to follow after the competition, we will decide when to rest which player (s).”
He added, “We are particularly keeping a close on Shaheen Shah Afridi and he may be rested for some matches of the T20 series against South Africa as he is playing non-stop in all formats.”
The bowling coach further revealed that a group of fast bowlers including young players from the domestic cricket would be sent for training and work to the high-performance center in Lahore to keep them ready for the highest level while insisting the workload management is now essential for all players in the COVID-19 ear, thanks to bio-bubble life.
He further explained, “Not only fast bowlers but workload management is now essential for all players in these Covid-19 times when players have to move from one bio-secure bubble to another constantly and also spend time in quarantine.”
Waqar signed off by saying, “Pacers tend to perform better at home, this is not just the case with our bowlers but bowlers around the world and yes they are a few exceptions particularly the ones with loads of international experience behind them.”
(With PTI Inputs)
