AUS vs PAK: "Shaheen Afridi Did Not Rest Because.." - Mohammad Hafeez Reacts To Pacer's Absence In Sydney Test

Pakistan head coach and team director Mohammad Hafeez has explained the reason behind resting Shaheen Afridi for the third Test in Australia. Mohammad Hafeez highlighted Shaheen Afridi’s extensive efforts over the past year after returning from injury.

The Men in Green opted to rest Shaheen Afridi for the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Shaheen managed to secure just two wickets in the series opener. However, he showcased significant improvement by claiming six wickets in the Boxing Day Test.

Shaheen Afridi Has Worked Hard – Mohammad Hafeez

During the post-match conference, Mohammad Hafeez emphasized the importance of managing Shaheen Afridi’s workload. Hafeez highlighted the team’s commitment to ensuring that no bowler’s career is compromised due to inadequate workload management.

“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 one 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,” Hafeez said.

The Shan Masood-led team suffered an eighth-wicket loss in the recent Test against Australia in Sydney. This defeat marks Pakistan’s 17th consecutive Test loss on Australian soil. The visiting team lost all three matches in the red-ball series, resulting in a whitewash.

Australia’s opener, David Warner, notched up 57 runs in his farewell Test match. Marnus Labuschagne (62) played a pivotal role in guiding the team to successfully chase down the 130-run target on the fourth day’s play.

It’s Clear That His Body Was A Bit Sore – Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez clarified that Shaheen Afridi’s absence was not related to his participation in the T20I series in New Zealand. Hafeez emphasized that Afridi’s body was feeling sore and uncomfortable, leading to the decision to provide him with sufficient time to recover.

“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,” Hafeez added.

Pakistan will initiate their T20 World Cup 2024 preparation with the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. Shaheen Afridi will lead the national team in the shorter format. The first match is scheduled to be played in Auckland on January 12.

Afridi assumed the role of T20I captain after Babar Azam resigned from captaincy across all formats. His first assignment as T20I captain will be leading the team in the upcoming series in New Zealand. He will then participate in the Pakistan Super League 2024.

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