Mohammad Amir blames workload for Shaheen Afridi’s struggles

Former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir believes Shaheen Shah Afridi’s recent decline in form is largely the result of poor workload management, arguing that the left-arm pacer was overburdened during the early years of his international career.

Amir made the remarks after Shaheen was left out of Pakistan’s Test squad for the ongoing series against the West Indies, a decision that has sparked fresh debate over the fast bowler’s form, fitness, and future in the longest format of the game.

Shaheen was once considered Pakistan’s premier fast bowler across all three formats, but his performances in Test cricket have dipped since returning from a serious knee injury in 2023. Although he remains a key figure in Pakistan’s white-ball plans, his red-ball performances have raised concerns among former players and cricket experts.

Since making his comeback, Shaheen has taken 27 wickets in 16 Test innings at an average of 40.11, with a strike rate of 67.6. His performances during Pakistan’s 2-0 home Test series defeat to Bangladesh also came under criticism, particularly because of a noticeable drop in bowling speed. The left-arm pacer, who previously relied on consistently high pace, was often clocked in the mid-120 km/h range during the series.

Speaking on The Scoop by Wisden, Amir said he had predicted such challenges years ago, warning that excessive cricket without proper workload management could eventually take a toll on Shaheen’s body and performance.

According to Amir, fast bowlers require careful planning throughout their careers, especially when they are expected to play regularly across all formats. He said failing to manage a pacer’s workload can affect pace, rhythm, consistency, and overall fitness over time.

Amir recalled giving an interview in either 2020 or 2021 in which he expressed concern about the amount of cricket Shaheen was playing. Drawing from his own experience as a fast bowler, Amir said he warned that continuous cricket without adequate rest would eventually lead to physical and performance-related struggles.

He added that the warning appears to have become reality, as Shaheen is now facing issues with pace, consistency, and fitness despite still being relatively young.

Amir stressed that a player of Shaheen’s age should ideally be at the peak of his career, but the current situation suggests that something has gone wrong in his development. He maintained that poor workload management remains the biggest factor behind the left-arm pacer’s struggles.

The statistics support Amir’s concerns about Shaheen’s workload before his injury. Between making his international debut and suffering a knee injury in July 2022, Shaheen bowled 809.4 overs in Test cricket, more than any other Pakistan bowler during that period.

Former leg-spinner Yasir Shah ranked second with 606.2 overs, while Hasan Ali was the next-highest fast bowler with 427.3 overs. The figures highlight the significant responsibility placed on Shaheen as the leader of Pakistan’s pace attack, with many now questioning whether better workload management could have helped preserve his fitness and long-term effectiveness.