By Zainab Shafiq 
Pakistan’s team director, Mickey Arthur, swiftly came to the defense of Shaheen Afridi following concerns raised by a social media user regarding the left-arm pacer’s workload in the ongoing T20 Vitality Blast. Afridi, representing Nottinghamshire Outlaws, has played seven matches in just ten days, delivering impressive performances with 10 wickets from 27 overs at an average of 24.5 and an economy rate of 9.1.
Arthur took to Twitter to address the concern and shed light on Afridi’s workload. He pointed out that Afridi had bowled only 28 overs in the span of ten days, which he considered to be a manageable workload. In fact, Arthur suggested that Afridi needed to increase his workload in order to prepare for Test cricket, emphasizing that the team management was closely monitoring his progress.
“He has bowled 28 overs in 10 days!! If anything, he needs to get his loads up to play Test cricket. It is being monitored all the time,” commented Arthur on Twitter.
The team management’s response underscores their confidence in Afridi’s abilities and their focus on his development as a Test cricketer. With Pakistan scheduled to play a two-match Test series against Sri Lanka in July, they are keen on ensuring that Afridi is well-prepared for the challenges of the longer format.
By defending Afridi’s workload and expressing the need for him to increase it, Arthur highlighted the importance of carefully managing a player’s training and performance levels. The team management’s continuous monitoring of Afridi’s progress demonstrates their commitment to optimizing his potential and ensuring that he is ready for the upcoming Test series.
As the cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits Pakistan’s Test series against Sri Lanka, all eyes will be on Shaheen Afridi to see how his workload management and preparation for the longer format translate into his performance on the field.
Tim Douglas