‘Playing too much cricket’ – Salman Butt reveals fitness challenges of Pakistan fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah | Sporting News India

On Tuesday, former Pakistan captain and opener, Salman Butt raised concerns about the over usage of Pakistan’s premium young fast bowlers, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah as he believed that it has affected on-field performances of the duo.

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Following the sub-par performances in the recent international cricket matches from the likes of Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah where Pakistan had even ended up losing 0-2 to Bangladesh in a Test series at home, many people have questioned the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Many involved with Pakistan cricket including coach Gary Kirsten has recently raised concerns about lack of workload management wearing down the team’s pacers 

Read More: Bangladesh coach Hathurusingha calls India the ‘best team in the world’

‘They were exposed to international cricket too young’: Salman Butt on Pakistan’s Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah

In his recent interview on Pakistan’s TV channel GNN, Butt talked about the negative impact that Pakistan’s young players had to suffer due to exposing them to all-formats of international cricket at a very young age.

He believed that debuts were handed to youngsters such as Shaheen and Naseem

“These are the players [Shaheen and Naseem] who were exposed to international cricket too young, and we played them in all formats. They have played more T20 than the longer formats, so their muscles are not used to bowling long spells. So, their bodies take time to adapt. We use them recklessly even if we lose or win the series,” Butt said.

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The former left-handed opening batter has acknowledged the duo’s improvement by saying that the duo has been bowling better in the recent outings of the ongoing Champions One Day Cup.

“This in no way is an excuse for them to not work harder. They are getting better, and they will have to bowl longer spells to keep up this rhythm for the longer formats. We also need to manage them wisely and this is the job of coaches, mentors, Gary Kirsten and Gillespie,” he added.

What’s next for Pakistan cricket and their fast bowlers?

After the conclusion of the ongoing Champions One Day domestic Cup, the Pakistan men’s side will play a Test series against England at home, followed by A white-ball tour of Australia before they head to the African continent for another set of bilateral matches.

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