The team director Mohammad Hafeez has defended Pakistan’s decision to rest Shaheen Afridi
Mohammad Hafeez defends PCB’s decision to rest Afridi
The team director Mohammad Hafeez has defended Pakistan’s decision to rest Shaheen Afridi during the third test of Pakistan’s Australia tour. He also said that it was the team management and not the player who made his final call.
He spoke after Pakistan’s defeat in the third test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground that the player has to prioritize Afridi’s long-term career.
“He bowled really well in those two games and bowled the most of any bowler,” he said. “When I asked him before the third Test, his body was sore. And I need to look after him more than anything.”
Afridi’s rest has further weakened Pakistan’s bowling unit. The injured Naseem Shah, Unavailability of Haris Rauf, and the unfit Abrar Ahmed have worsened the bowling unit.
Pakistan have been relied on Afridi in such circumstances which was evident during the first two tests.
Shaheen Afridi has bowled almost 100 overs in the first two tests which was far above other bowlers from either side even those who played three Test. The second busiest bowler was offspinner Nathan Lyon, having sent down fewer than 70 overs.
“We took the decision to rest Shaheen and manage his workload because we didn’t want his body to be adversely affected.”
“In the last year since his return from injury, he has worked hard, and the workload on him has been massive. We wanted to give him a break and manage his workload.”
“I don’t know what’s happened previously, but at this time, I wanted to make sure that no bowler’s career is spoiled due to their workload not being managed,” Mohammad Hafeez said.
“Shaheen did not rest because of T20 cricket at all. It’s not because he wants to play T20 cricket. It’s clear that his body was a bit sore. He wasn’t feeling very comfortable that his body would be able to respond appropriately.”
“As the team director, I have to ensure that no player goes into a zone where he suffers an injury. So before that happens, I wanted to ensure he has enough time to recover,” he concluded.
Pakistan will be playing its 1st T20I match against New Zealand on January 12 at Eden Park.
