Pakistan’s legendary bowler Wasim Akram questioned the workload management of Shaheen Afridi after the latter got ruled out due to a knee injury.
With the Asia Cup 2022 knocking at the door,, Pakistan’s bowling department faced a big blow. Shaheen Afridi, Pak’s leading pacer was ruled out suffering a knee injury. H succumbed to the injury in the last match during the first Test against Sri Lanka. In order to stay in touch with the team’s physio, he stayed with the team throughout its three-ODI tour to the Netherlands. Henceforth, he got the least time to recover before the continental tournament.
However, Shaheen Afridi‘s absence will indeed be a big setback for the Pakistan side. In the 2021 T20 World Cup, he played a vital role in the team’s journey to the semi-finals. The left arm was the key man behind Pak’s victory against India. He had India’s top-3; KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli. The departure of the three was to heavy for heavy that the team couldn’t come back thereafter.
After PCB confirmed the absence of Shaheen Afridi from the coming Asia Cup, angry outbursts came from different corners of the county. Many former cricketers, as well as fans, have questioned his workload management.
Never had a knee injury as a fast bowler: Wasim Akram voiced on the workload of Shaheen Afridi
Moreover, former Pakistan skipper and bowling legend Wasim Akram too voiced his opinion. While speaking at the Star Sports press conference, Wasim Akram said,
“Pakistan will miss Shaheen Afridi. He is important because he takes wickets with the new ball. In this format, everyone says that if you have to restrict the opposition, you have to get wickets with the new ball. That’s what he does, he attacks the stumps. He has been consistent across formats, he has been the main bowler for Pakistan,”
Wasim Akram further added,
“The think-tank has been criticised for not managing his workload. But he is 21 (22), he has to play cricket. He suffered a knee injury. I never had knee injury as a fast bowler, but those who had tell me that it takes time to heal. And when you come back, you are always scared of injuring yourself again. Until you are 100 percent fit, you won’t be able to bowl.”
However, India will pull their curtain off facing Pakistan on Sunday (August 28). It will be conducted at the Dubai International Stadium.
For more updates, follow us on Twitter.
For more sports updates, make sure to follow us on:
