Wasim Akram Criticizes Decision to Rest Shaheen Afridi for SCG Test
Former Pakistan captain, Wasim Akram, has strongly criticized the decision to rest Shaheen Afridi for the third and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Despite Pakistan trailing 0-2 in the series, the 23-year-old was surprisingly left out of the team ahead of his first national captaincy assignment in the T20Is against New Zealand.
In an interview with Fox Cricket, Akram emphasized the significance of Test cricket compared to the entertainment and financial gains of T20Is. He stressed that cricketers should prioritize Test cricket as the ultimate form of the game.
Straight after this, there are five T20s in New Zealand, and Shaheen’s the captain. But T20 cricket, who cares? I understand it’s there for entertainment and financial gain, but cricketers should know that Test cricket is the ultimate, Akram stated.
Akram further urged the younger generation of players to understand the importance and legacy of Test cricket. He emphasized that the memories and historical moments created in Test matches far outweigh the transient nature of T20 cricket.
If we talk about what happened 20 years ago in this Test in Sydney, nobody knows what happened last night in T20. That’s the difference. These guys have to understand and learn if they want to be greats of the game, Akram added.
Shaheen Afridi’s omission comes after his improved performance in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Afridi took six wickets in the match, including a four-wicket haul in the second innings, as Pakistan fought valiantly but ultimately fell short by 79 runs.
Another former Pakistan captain, Waqar Younis, supported Akram’s viewpoint, expressing his surprise at Afridi’s absence from the final Test. Younis highlighted the importance of Test cricket and questioned the decision to rest Afridi, who had shown improvements in his form and swing.
With Naseem Shah already injured, Afridi’s absence weakens Pakistan’s bowling attack as they try to avoid a series whitewash.
Afridi’s workload has been a growing concern, having bowled almost 100 overs over the first two Tests. The decision to rest him has raised questions about the management of players’ workloads and the balance between various formats of the game.
The first T20I against New Zealand, where Afridi is set to make his captaincy debut, is scheduled just five days after the conclusion of the Sydney Test. This quick transition from Test to T20 cricket adds to the workload challenges faced by young players like Afridi.
The decision to rest Afridi has sparked a debate about the priorities and balance within modern cricket. While T20 cricket continues to gain popularity and financial rewards, the criticism from former cricketing greats like Akram and Younis highlights the enduring value and prestige of Test cricket.
As Pakistan heads into the final Test against Australia, the absence of Afridi raises concerns about their ability to compete against the dominant Australian side. With Afridi rested and Shah injured, Pakistan’s bowling attack will face an uphill battle as they seek to salvage some pride in the series.
The decision to prioritize the T20I series against New Zealand over the Sydney Test has drawn criticism, prompting discussions about the need to find a suitable balance between the different formats of the game.
As cricket continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the allure of short-format cricket will overshadow the rich history and tradition of Test cricket. For now, the decision to rest Shaheen Afridi from the SCG Test has ignited a broader conversation about the future of the game and the value placed on its various formats.
