"Wasim Akram used to bowl more overs than him in the nets alone," Akhtar against resting Shaheen for workload

Shoaib Akhtar said there is no need to bring workload concerns again and again.

Shaheen Afridi | GETTY

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar believes team management shouldn't be concerned about Shaheen Afridi's workload. Workload has become an important discussion lately considering the high number of matches cricketers play these days. The hectic schedule starts taking a toll on the body if the workload is not looked after properly.

Shaheen plays in all formats and Pakistan team management needs to take care of him so the rising talent could play for long. However, Akhtar feels the speedster doesn't need to rest and compared his workload with former legendary Pakistan pacers.

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"He [Shaheen] would have bowled around 90 overs in his T20I career so far. In his last eight Test matches, he would have bowled around 150 overs. Is he tired already? Is it too much workload? Stop bringing workload concerns again and again with regards to Shaheen Afridi. Imran Khan and Wasim Akram used to bowl more overs than him in the nets alone," said Akhtar on Cricketpakistan.com.

As per reports, Shaheen was asked to rest but he went on to play both the Tests in Zimbabwe. Junaid Khan said the 21-year-old didn't want to put his place in jeopardy and hence opted against sitting out.

"Shaheen definitely needs rest. The management needs to make sure he doesn’t bowl a lot during the net sessions. Shaheen probably doesn’t want to rest himself because he might have fear of losing his place to a youngster, who might perform in his place," Junaid Khan said in an interview with CricketPakistan.com.

Pakistan won the 2-match Test series against Zimbabwe by 2-0 and Shaheen picked up 10 wickets in the series, which included a five-wicket-haul.

(With Cricket Pakistan dot com Inputs)

 
 

By - 12 May, 2021

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