Shaheen Afridi is one of Pakistan’s finest pacers, who had been a match-winner in all formats once upon a time, but was rather very poor in his performance this season and so has been sent outside the Pakistani squad for the second Test against Bangladesh. Afridi was surely among the world’s top bowlers who used to win matches for Pakistan, but lately, he hasn’t been doing so well as one should expect from him.
Shaheen Afridi Struggles With Poor Form
For the past year, Afridi’s Test bowling average has climbed to 42.90 from his career average of 27.08. Even in ODI cricket, his average has crept up to 26.72 while still standing at 23.94 overall. As for Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, he simply believes it is a result of player burnout from continuous cricket. Kirsten reminded that Afridi has bowled more overs than any other fast bowler in the world in the last 18 months and seized the opportunity to emphasize the need for workload management for fast bowlers. There’s a risk that players will be wearing themselves out over time, without enough breaks, Kirsten warned.
Gary Kirsten Urges PCB To Look Into Workload Management Of Fast Bowlers
“Fast bowlers are always under immense pressure to deliver and win games. When we look at our key resources, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have carried the bulk of the workload for Pakistan across all formats. 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,” said Kirsten while commentating during the Pakistan’s Champions Cup.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are also playing at the same time in Champions 50 Over Cup. Afridi is representing the Lions and Shah Markhors. So far, both the bowlers have presented healthy performances in this tournament as each one has picked five wickets in the two matches they have played there.
