"Bhai wo legend thay, you're not" - Fans react as Shaheen Afridi says there was no workload issue with Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis
Fans have reacted online to Pakistan's pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi's belief that the workload management debate has been blown out of proportion lately. He cited the examples of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis to suggest that there weren't any workload-related issues in their era.
The left-arm seamer emphasized the importance of being mentally ready for challenges. Here's what Shaheen said on the topic of workload management to Samaa TV:
"First of all, if you are saying that I have bowled the most in the world (among bowlers in Test cricket)… but if you look in the past, all our legends bowlers Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, at that time there was no workload issue.
"I don’t know why we have made it a big topic over the last one year that there is workload, players are getting injured. We are considering it more important. It depends individually on the players, how they play in particular formats. You need to be mentally fit and strong on how to react in different circumstances."
While Shaheen Afridi downplayed the aspect of managing workload as a fast bowler, most fans didn't seem to agree with him. Several fans took to social media to react to the bowler's comments.
Here are some of the top reactions:
"Bhai wo legend thay, you're not! Not rn, at least...aur waisay bhu you were a couple pf years old when they retired. How could you claim they didn't have these issues? Maybe they did as well..."
Many fans pointed out that there has been a dip in Shaheen Afridi's pace due to injuries. Meanwhile, the likes of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis used to bowl relentlessly without any such issues.
"Bro they had peak fitness and were used to bowl 30 overs in a single day of test match with consistent 140+ pace while modern day bowlers like you can only last 4 overs of barely 135+ so there is literally no comparison." wrote a fan
"Pace kyu drop hui firr bhai? 150 se 128 pe aagaye, apni fitness aur pace pe kaam krne ke bajai media mai statement de rhe ki workload kya hota hai, can you answer why you didn't play last test match of australia tour if workload wasnt any issue for u?" [Why did the pace drop then brother? You've come down from 150 to 128. Rather than working on your pace and fitness, you're giving statement in media about workload.] commented another
"Wasim at the age of 37 in 2003 World Cup was still bowling at 138-140 kph consistently." chimed in yet another
Shaheen Afridi is part of Pakistan's Test squad for their Test series opener against England. The match is scheduled to be played in Multan from October 7.
"If you feel lazy, you cannot perform anytime" - Shaheen Afridi
In the aforementioned interview, Shaheen Afridi mentioned that a player cannot afford to be lazy. He opined that when there is a slump in form, cricketers often try to come up with new techniques to improve themselves.
He noted that during such phases, it is important to have the support of family and team management. Adding that enjoying the game is the key, Afridi said:
"If you feel lazy, you cannot perform anytime. I know there is a time when you cannot perform anymore where you try but your body reacts similarly. You try to release it differently and come up with (new) techniques, similarly with batting but it takes time to overcome that.
"It’s a small period where you need support from the management and close ones, who need to give you positive messages. I don’t know about the workload, it isn’t that much but I feel that everyone should enjoy, regardless of the format."
Pakistan will look to bounce back after an embarrassing Test series whitewash to Bangladesh at home. Shaheen Afridi picked up two wickets from 32 overs in the first Test, while he was left out of the playing XI for the second and final fixture.