Pakistan’s pace-bowling spearhead Shaheen Afridi is currently leading Lions in the ongoing domestic One-Day Champions Cup. Afridi did not play the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi after a lackluster performance in the first. But Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten is worried for the left-arm pacer’s workload.
Kirsten pointed out that he has bowled three times more overs than any other pacer among full-member nations in the last one and a half year.
"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,” Kirsten was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
"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."
Pakistan’s jam-packed season
The 24-year-old does not seem to get a breather either in near future. After the Champions Cup concludes later this month, Pakistan will prepare for the home three-Test series against England. It will be followed by Pakistan touring Australia within a few days. It will be interesting if the selectors rest him for the tour of Zimbabwe a few days after Australia tour. Pakistan have to tour South Africa in December. It will be followed by a two-Test series against West Indies at home. Then Pakistan will host a mini tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa to prepare for the Champions Trophy 2025 in February. Even after the major ICC tournament, Pakistan don't have a breather as they will tour New Zealand in March.
Shaheen in Champions Cup
Shaheen's Lions have lost two consecutive games. In the first match against Mohammad Haris' Stallions, he bagged two wickets including the captain and Babar Azam. He conceded 63 runs in his quota of 10 overs. Lions conceded 336 and then lost the match by 133 runs. In the second game, he took three wickets against Panthers. However, Lions faltered in the run chase again and lost the game by 84 runs as they got bowled out for 199 by Shadab Khan’s side.
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