Controversy Surrounds Shaheen Afridi's Rest Decision Amid Pakistan's Defeat to Australia

The Pakistan team's director, Mohammad Hafeez, disclosed that, in contrast to the popular perception that the team management had decided to rest the left-arm bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi had approached him with a request to take a vacation from the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney.

Australia won the series 3-0 after defeating Pakistan at the SCG on Saturday by eight wickets.

"We didn't want his body to be adversely affected, so we decided to rest Shaheen and manage his workload," Hafeez stated following the third Test match against Australia.

The cricket fraternity in Pakistan was taken aback by the decision to rest Afridi for the final Test.

Great Pakistani fast bowlers Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram also chastised the team management for choosing to rest Afridi for the Test match.

Following the uproar on the opening day of the Sydney Test, Afridi informed the host broadcasters that the team management and support personnel believed he need to take a break from the game.

But according to Hafeez, Afridi deserved a rest because he has been carrying a heavy duty since his injury return last year.

We thought it would be ideal if we could control his workload and give him a break. Unaware of past incidents, Hafeez stated, "I wanted to make sure that no bowler's career was ruined because their workload was not being managed at this time."

The former all-rounder further stated that Afridi's selection as Pakistan's captain for the five-match Twenty20 International series in New Zealand, which begins on January 12, had nothing to do with his rest from the Sydney Test.

Shaheen was determined to play T20 cricket, therefore he didn't sleep. He was obviously feeling a little sore. It didn't sit well with him that his body would react the way it should.

I have a responsibility as the team director to make sure that no player enters a zone where they could get hurt," Hafeez stated.

Hafeez also hinted that, in the event that it becomes necessary, top batsman Babar Azam would also be rested.

Even though Babar is going through a lean phase, we have complete faith in his potential to perform. He can, however, be granted a respite if necessary. Hafeez continued, "But we will talk to him to find out what he wants."

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