He Should Be Asked If He Even Needs Rest - Wasim Akram Dismisses Concerns Around Shaheen Afridi's Workload

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram rubbishes talks about pacer Shaheen Afridi getting burned out due to his workload and whether he should be rested from games for Pakistan.

The 21-year old left-arm fast bowler has become Pakistan’s spearhead across formats. He was recently given rest from the T20I series against Zimbabwe.

Wasim Akram, however, reckons the youngster should play all games in all formats for his country as he will only get better by playing as many matches as possible. He also slams the people talking about resting the speedster as other teams in the world do that with their pacers.

“The problem with the rest issue, I think he should be asked if he even needs rest. We can’t just copy the world that look Australia is resting its players so we should as well. Our culture is very different. Our mindset is very different,” Wasim Akram told website ‘Cricket Pakistan’.

“I still feel that if he keeps bowling and playing sensibly, it’s not like crazy cricket, he is just playing for Pakistan in all three formats. His bowling is getting stronger, he is gaining awareness and a sound mentality.

“He doesn’t play county cricket so for him this cricket is very important. Especially during these early years. I don’t think there is anything to this burnout issue. I think he is only going to get better,” he added.

Going forward he will take a lot of wickets for Pakistan: Wasim Akram

The 1992 World Cup-winning pacer lavishes further praises on Shaheen Afridi, who has taken 58 Test wickets and 51 ODIs wickets in 17 and 25 games in the formats respectively.

Wasim Akram speaks about Afridi’s bowling attributes – swinging the ball in both directions at a high pace, the bounce he extracts due to his height, and a lethal yorker aided by his shrewd brains. The 54-year old feels the youngster will take lots of wickets going forward.

“Shaheen Afridi is earning fame through his bowling. He swings the new ball at pace in both directions. He is tall and can generate bounce. He has a better sense of bowling and knows what length to bowl at. He has situational awareness while bowling. I think he is a great talent and going forward he will take a lot of wickets for Pakistan,” Wasim Akram concluded.

Following victories in South Africa and Zimbabwe, Babar Azam will lead the side on a white-ball tour to England in July.

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