Shaheen Afridi: ‘T20 cricket, who cares?’: Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis criticize resolution to relaxation Shaheen Afridi for Sydney Take a look at | Cricket Information

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan tempo greats Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have voiced criticism over the choice to relaxation quick bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi within the third and ultimate Take a look at in opposition to Australia on the Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG).
The controversial transfer got here after Pakistan had already misplaced the sequence 0-2, elevating questions in regards to the absence of Shaheen within the farewell Take a look at for Australia’s opener David Warner.
Talking on the choice, Akram claimed that the decision was totally Shaheen’s and never influenced by the workforce administration. Akram delivered a stern message, urging gamers to prioritize between aspiring to grow to be greats of the sport or focusing solely on monetary positive factors by way of T20 cricket.
Scorecard: Australia vs Pakistan third Take a look at
“Straight after this, there are 5 T20s in New Zealand, and Shaheen’s the captain. However T20 cricket, who cares? I perceive it’s there for leisure and monetary acquire, however cricketers ought to know that Take a look at cricket is the last word,” Akram emphasised in a press release on Fox Cricket.
Younis echoed the shock and disappointment, expressing his expectations of Shaheen’s participation within the Sydney Take a look at. He talked about the promising indicators from Shaheen’s efficiency within the earlier match, indicating a return to type.

“That may be a actual shocker for me as a result of I used to be anticipating him to be part of this Take a look at match. He seemed good within the earlier match. He began feeling just like the previous Shaheen Afridi and began to swing the ball, and the tempo was getting higher,” mentioned Younis, questioning the choice.
Shaheen’s workload had been a degree of concern, given his management roles in white-ball cricket, together with captaining Lahore Qalandars within the PSL and collaborating within the Worldwide League T20 (ILT20).
The quick bowler is about to start his T20I captaincy with a sequence in opposition to New Zealand simply 5 days after the conclusion of the third Take a look at.
With Naseem Shah injured and Haris Rauf unavailable for Assessments, Pakistan face challenges within the tempo division, additional intensified by Shaheen’s surprising absence for the Sydney Take a look at.

(With inputs from ANI)