Imran, Wasim used to bowl more overs than Shaheen in nets alone: Akhtar

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Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar believes Pakistan team management does not need to worry about workload concerns regarding left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi.

While speaking on a local television channel, Akhtar said that former Pakistan captains, Imran Khan and Wasim Akram, used to bowl more overs in the nets than Shaheen has bowled in his career so far.

"He [Shaheen] would have bowled around 90 overs in his T20I career so far. In his last eight Test matches, he would have bowled around 150 overs. Is he tired already? Is it too much workload?" asked Akhtar.

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"Stop bringing workload concerns again and again with regards to Shaheen Afridi. Imran Khan and Wasim Akram used to bowl more overs than him in the nets alone," he added.

Last month, Pakistan bowling coach, Waqar Younis, had also rubbished the workload concerns regarding left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

"We are monitoring bowlers’ workload. Players got enough rest after PSL got postponed, so there is no issue of fatigue," said Waqar.

According to media reports, the Pakistan team management was keen on resting pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, during the past few months, but the latter refused to sit on the bench despite workload concerns.

Whereas, left-arm pacer Junaid Khan believes Shaheen is avoiding rest because he is afraid of losing his place in the national team to a younger pacer.

"Shaheen definitely needs rest. The management needs to make sure he doesn’t bowl a lot during the net sessions. Shaheen probably doesn’t want to rest himself because he might have fear of losing his place to a youngster, who might perform in his place," said Junaid while speaking to Cricket Pakistan in an exclusive interview.