Former pacer claims PSL has "damaged" Pakistan cricket

Former Pakistan cricketer Yasir Arafat has raised concerns over the detrimental effects of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) on the nation’s traditional red-ball cricket. 

In a recent interview with a local sports platform, Arafat criticized the PSL for prioritizing shorter formats, asserting that it has negatively impacted players’ approach to Test cricket. 

“Pakistan Super League (PSL) has damaged Pakistan cricket,” Arafat stated.

“Players are not willing to play Test cricket anymore,” he added.

The 42-year-old  also addressed the influence of player agents, who, in his view, prioritize short-term financial benefits over long-term career development. He noted that this shift in focus has been detrimental to the players' careers.

He pointed to the struggles of young talents such as fast bowlers Ihsanullah, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Afridi, who have faced injury issues early in their careers. 

He specifically mentioned Shaheen Afridi, explaining, “Shaheen’s dip in form is because he was introduced very early to international cricket, and his workload was not managed properly."

In contrast, Arafat praised countries like India, Australia, and England for their approach to player rehabilitation and workload management. He believes that Pakistan’s cricket board needs to adopt similar practices to safeguard its players’ long-term health and performance.