Pakistan’s left-arm pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, has voiced his thoughts on the modern-day issue of workload management for fast bowlers, downplaying its significance compared to previous generations of cricket.

In an interview with a local news outlet, Afridi referenced legendary Pakistani pacers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis when addressing concerns about his bowling workload in Test cricket.

“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,” Afridi said.

The former captain expressed surprise at the emphasis placed on the workload of fast bowlers in recent times. He argued that the key to longevity and performance lies in mental fitness and adaptability rather than limiting overs bowled.

“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,” he said.

The 24-year-old emphasized that when a fast bowler feels their body reacting differently, developing new techniques to cope with the pressure is crucial. He called for a positive mindset, stating that players should enjoy the game regardless of format.

“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,” he said.

Afridi’s workload has been under scrutiny recently, especially after Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Gary Kirsten, raised concerns about the number of overs the pacer has bowled. Kirsten remarked that Afridi had bowled three times more overs than any other fast bowler worldwide over the last 18 months, warning that this could eventually wear him down.

“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,” Gary Kirsten said.

“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.