NEW DELHI: Pakistan's team director Mohammad Hafeez defended the decision to rest star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi in the third and final Test against Australia, despite facing criticism from former Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Pakistan, although having their moments in the final Test, succumbed to Australia's class, resulting in a series sweep for the home team.
Hafeez argued that the decision was made with the players' long-term welfare in mind, emphasizing Afridi's sore body and the need to prioritize his career over individual games. He clarified that the ultimate decision rested with the team management, not the player himself.
1/10:David Warner's Farewell Test: Australia sweep Pakistan 3-0
Getty Images
2/10:Warner's Final Test
David Warner contributed 57 as Australia cantered to their victory target of 130 runs to beat Pakistan by eight wickets and sweep the series 3-0.AP
3/10:Pakistan's losing streak
Pakistan, looking to end a run of 16 successive losses in Australia since 1995, had added 47 runs to their overnight tally at the cost of their final three wickets, to be dismissed for 115.AP
4/10:Guard of Honor for Warner
Warner shared a hug with opening partner and childhood friend Usman Khawaja at the boundary rope and was given a guard of honour by the tourists as he came to the crease.AP
5/10:Warner's Half Century
David Warner brought up his 37th Test half century with a single to square leg.AFP
6/10:Final Ovation
A crowd of more than 24,000 at his home Sydney Cricket Ground rose for a final ovation as David Warner left the fieldGetty Images
7/10:Warner's Career Stats
Warner's innings gave him a career tally of 8,786 Test runs at an average of 44.59, making him the fifth most prolific Australian batsman of all time.AFP
8/10:Marnus Labuschagne's Contribution
Marnus Labuschagne (62 not out) got the world Test champions across the line with a single shortly after Warner's departure.IANS
9/10:Player of the Series: Cummins
Australia captain Pat Cummins was named Player of the Series for a 10-wicket haul in Melbourne and 5-61 in the first innings in Sydney.AP
10/10:Pakistan's Missed Opportunities
Pakistan had only their own batting frailties to blame for missing out on the chance to snap their long losing streak in Australia.AFP"He bowled really well in those two games and bowled the most of any bowler. When I asked him before the third Test, his body was sore. And I need to look after him more than anything," Hafeez stated.
Afridi's absence further weakened Pakistan's already-depleted bowling attack, with Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf already out due to injury, and Abrar Ahmed deemed unfit.
Former Pakistan fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis expressed strong criticism of the decision, with Akram suggesting it was Afridi's choice to rest and cautioning players to prioritize Test cricket over lucrative T20 leagues.
"Straight after this there are five T20s in New Zealand, and Shaheen's the captain. But T20 cricket, who cares? I understand, it is there for entertainment and it is there for financial gain for cricket boards, for players, but cricketers should know that Test cricket is the ultimate," Akram remarked.
Waqar Younis, too, expressed surprise at Afridi's absence, stating it made him laugh and noting that Afridi had shown promising form in the second Test.
The decision to rest Afridi has reignited discussions about the balance between Test cricket and T20 leagues, with critics suggesting that player workload management should not compromise the significance of the longest format of the game.
(With inputs from ANI)
