Rameez Raja wants Pakistan to take ‘extra care’ of Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan former captain turned commentator Ramiz Raja has said that the country’s cricket authorities need to take extra care of young speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“In my opinion, Shaheen is being groomed before making his debut in Test cricket [and] being a teenager he needs to take care of his fitness,” said Raja, while speaking at Ramiz Speaks. The former captain was of the view that the youngster should hone the craft first, as fast bowlers especially in Test cricket fell to breakdowns.

“Pakistan does not want to rush with Shaheen, as the youngster may suffer a breakdown and we have a history of many fast bowlers, which were jumped into international cricket but were unable to cope with the pressures that come with it,” said Raja.

The former captain cited the example of Mohamamd Zahid, a fast bowler who made his debut in mid nineties, but failed to live up to his potential. Considered by many as one of the fastest bowlers ever, Zahid's career fell to an abrupt halt after he suffered a broken back, just after representing Pakistan in only five Tests and 11 ODIs, ending what could have been a blossoming career.

“So Pakistan needs to take extra care of Shaheen, and he is being prepared right as well,” stressed Raja.

Shaheen is expected to replace fast bowler Mohammad Abbas for the third and final Test against New Zealand, after Abbas injured his right shoulder.