Gary Kirsten cites 'alarming' workload concern for Shaheen Afridi

Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten is worried about Shaheen Shah Afridi’s workload management. The pacer is currently playing in the domestic Champions Cup, where he has bowled 19.5 overs and picked up five wickets at an average of 24. Kirsten noted that Shaheen and Naseem Shah’s workload should be managed as they have played plenty of games in the last 18 months.

Naseem has spent some time on the sidelines due to a shoulder injury, however, Shaheen has been playing without any rest. Kirsten revealed that he came across a stat which state Afridi has bowled three times more than any pacer has in the last 18 months, which he termed is "alarming".

“Fast bowlers are always under immense pressure to deliver and win games. When we look at our key resources, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have carried the bulk of the workload for Pakistan across all formats,” said Kirsten on commentary during the Champions Cup game.

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“I saw a stat the other day that Shaheen has bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler in the world over the last 18 months. That's alarming — you’re bound to wear him down eventually,” he added.

However, it is Australian pacer Mitchell Starc who has bowled the most overs in the said period. Starc bowled 531.3 overs since March 1, 2023 while Shaheen has bowled 455.1 overs.

Shaheen’s 18-month highlight

Shaheen has been Pakistan’s go-to bowler in the past few years, however, the team failed to earn any ICC glory. Moreover, even as Shaheen is the top wicket-taker for Pakistan in the last 18 months, his recent form is slightly concerning. The pacer was dropped from the playing XI in the second Test against Bangladesh recently. He is expected to make a comeback in the series against England next month but his place in the playing XI is not guaranteed.