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Shaheen Afridi Has Bowled 3 Times More...' - Kirsten Backs Pakistan Ace And Naseem Shah

Shaheen Afridi (L) and Naseem Shah (R) [X.com] Shaheen Afridi (L) and Naseem Shah (R) [X.com] 

Gary Kirsten, Pakistan’s white-ball coach, has sparked an important conversation on workload management, particularly regarding Pakistan’s leading fast bowlers. During the Champions Cup 2024 commentary, Kirsten highlighted the immense pressure fast bowlers face to perform consistently across all formats. His focus was primarily on two key players: Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah.

Shaheen Afridi, a talismanic bowler for Pakistan, has been nothing short of phenomenal. Since his debut, Shaheen has consistently made an early impact and become a crucial asset in all formats. 

With his fiery pace, pinpoint accuracy, and ability to swing the ball both ways, he has often been compared to some of the greatest fast bowlers in the world. However, his constant participation in both domestic and international tournaments has raised concerns about his workload.

Gary Kirsten Wants Naseem Shah And Shaheen Afridi's Workload Managed

Kirsten specifically addressed these concerns, emphasizing the need to manage the workloads of both Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Shaheen has played a pivotal role in every major tournament for Pakistan since 2020 and was appointed captain of the ODI and T20I teams after Babar Azam stepped down following Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the 2023 World Cup. Despite his unwavering commitment, the relentless demands have begun to raise red flags. During his commentary, Kirsten noted, 

"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," Gary said.

On the other hand, Naseem Shah, another young and promising fast bowler, has faced his own set of challenges. The talented pacer suffered a serious shoulder injury during the Asia Cup in September, which required surgery in the UK. This injury forced him to miss the 2023 ODI World Cup, where Pakistan’s performance was disappointing. 

Although he made a successful return during the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year, since then, he has been continuously involved in Pakistan’s plans across all formats without much rest.

Both star pacers are currently playing in the Champions One Day Cup 2024 for their respective teams.