AUS vs PAK: Wasim Akram Claims Shaheen Afridi Just Wants To Become A Millionaire By Playing T20Is

1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram had very harsh words for Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi after he was dropped from Pakistan playing XI for the 3rd and last test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Captain Shan Masood had stated that Afridi was given rest for the last test in order to manage his workload but Akram feels that wasn’t actually the case.

Wasim Akram while speaking to Fox Cricket on the morning of Day 1 claimed that it was not a decision taken by the management or the coaching staff but in fact, it was Shaheen Afridi’s own decision to sit out after Pakistan lost the first two tests at Perth and Melbourne.

Shaheen Afridi Claims He Bowled Way Too Many Overs And Needed Rest

In the 1st Test, a David Warner masterclass in the 1st inning had laid the foundation for a terrific Aussie win by 360 runs in a match where Shaheen Afridi went on to bowl a combined 46 with depressing figures of 2 wickets by conceding 96 runs and 76 runs respectively across both innings.

In the 2nd Test, Shaheen Afridi went even harder, bowling 27 overs in the 1st innings, picking 2 wickets for 85 runs. In the 3rd inning, he would bowl another 27 overs, and this time he took 4 wickets with a similar economy rate. Mid-way through Day 1 at SCG, he was asked about the reason for sitting out and he stated that his body had gone through too much while bowling way too many overs at Perth and MCG and claimed that the medical team decided to manage his work load.

?️ "I played two games, and a lot of overs to be honest. They're just managing my workload, the medical team and team management decided to take a rest for this (Test)."@copes9 chats with Shaheen Afridi about the decision to not play at the SCG, and plenty more #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/VuNCaIeB1K

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 3, 2024

“I played two games, and a lot of overs to be honest. They’re just managing my workload, the medical team and team management decided to take a rest for this Game.” – Afridi said. 

“Cricketers Should Know That Test Cricket Is The Ultimate”, Wasim Akram Opines On Shaheen Afridi’s Absence

Only a handful of people will know that the last time Pakistan won a test match in Australia back in 1995, Wasim Akram was the team captain who won by 74 runs. Since then, the Men in Green have longed for a victory at the Land Down Under and the 3rd Test which was already started could be a perfect opportunity for them to repeat history.

But there is a huge difference in the quality as well as the character of this team as compared to the one filled with legends that won in 1995. Even if Pakistan had desires to avoid the whitewash, Shaheen Afridi’s absence makes it even more difficult as no other bowler in the team is that experienced.

While speaking to Fox Cricket, Wasim Akram claimed that Shaheen Afridi himself pulled himself out of the test because he is set to Captain the national team in an upcoming 5-match T20I series in New Zealand which Akram believes is very irrelevant and claimed that he is confused with the mindset of players, if they want become a legend of the game or do they just want big money deals in their pocket.

“Straight after this there are five T20s in New Zealand, and Shaheen’s the captain. But T20 cricket, who cares? I understand, it’s there for entertainment and it’s there for financial gain for cricket boards, for players, but cricketers should know that Test cricket is the ultimate.” – Wasim Akram added. 

“If we talk about what happened 20 years ago in this Test in Sydney, nobody knows what happened last night in T20. That’s the difference. These guys have to understand and learn, if you want to be a great of the game or do you want to be a millionaire. You can become both but with a little more sense.” – Wasim Akram concluded.