Shaheen Shah Afridi Cites ‘Workload’ for missing 3rd test; Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis Criticize Decision

The exclusion of Pakistan‘s pace spearhead, Shaheen Shah Afridi, from the playing XI for the third Test against Australia, scheduled to be David Warner‘s farewell game, has raised eyebrows in the cricketing world. Despite picking up eight wickets in the first two Tests, Shaheen’s absence was attributed to workload management, a decision that has drawn criticism from cricketing legends Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

In an interview with the host broadcaster 7 Cricket during the lunch break on Day 1 of the Test, Shaheen clarified the reason behind his absence, stating that the team’s medical staff and management had decided to rest him due to his workload. He acknowledged playing two games and bowling many overs, which led to the decision.

Shaheen stated, “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).”

However, this explanation did not sit well with former Pakistani fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, both of whom expressed their disappointment with the decision. Wasim Akram criticized Shaheen’s choice, suggesting that the decision was solely the player’s and not the management’s. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing Test cricket over T20s, highlighting the format’s significance in the game’s history and its enduring legacy compared to the transient nature of T20 matches.

Wasim Akram said, “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’s comments on Fox Cricket were particularly scathing, as he urged players to choose between being greats of the game or millionaires, implying that focusing on T20 cricket for financial gain might compromise one’s legacy in Test cricket. He emphasized the need for cricketers to understand the value of Test cricket and make decisions that reflect their long-term aspirations in the sport.

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.”

Waqar Younis echoed similar sentiments, expressing surprise at Shaheen’s absence from the Test match squad. He emphasized Shaheen’s recent form and improvement in the previous match, indicating that the decision to rest him was unexpected and not in line with his performance.

Waqar said, “That’s a real shocker for me because I was expecting him to be a part of this Test match because he looked good in the previous match. He started feeling like the old Shaheen Afridi and started to swing the ball and the pace was getting better.”

The exclusion of Shaheen Shah Afridi from the Test lineup has sparked a debate about the balance between workload management and prioritizing Test cricket, with former players emphasizing the significance of the longer format in shaping a player’s legacy.

The third Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Sydney will continue to be closely watched, not only for the on-field action but also for the discussions it has sparked about the future of Test cricket and the choices players make in balancing different formats of the game.

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