We took the decision to rest Shaheen and manage his workload: Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan benched Shaheen Shah Afridi for the third and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The visitors went in with off-spinner Sajid Khan instead of the ace speedster. During the two matches in Perth and Melbourne, the 23-year-old claimed eight wickets at an impressive economy rate of 3.35.  

Meanwhile, the men's team director and head coach of Pakistan, Mohammed Hafeez, stated that Shaheen was given a break to "manage his workload." Shaheen also stated during the Sydney Test that the decision to bench him for the last game of the series was made by the team management. 

"We took the decision to rest Shaheen and manage his workload because we didn't want his body to be adversely affected. In the last one year since his return from injury, he has worked hard, and the workload on him has been massive. We wanted to give him a break and manage his workload,” Hafeez was quoted as saying by India Today.

“I don't know what's happened previously, but at this time, I wanted to make sure that no bowler's career is spoiled due to their workload not being managed," he added. 

Pakistan suffer 3-0 defeat in Australia tour

Pakistan suffered their 17th consecutive Test match defeat on Australian soil when they lost the third and final Test by eight wickets in the three-match series 0-3. In the third Test, Pakistan chose to bat first after winning the toss and scored 313 runs in the opening innings. Pakistan's Salman Ali Agha amassed half-centuries, and Pat Cummins claimed a fifer for Australia.

In the second innings, Pakistan bundled out Australia at 299 thanks to a six-wicket haul from Aamir Jamal. After that, Pakistan battled and managed to set a target of a mere 130 runs. David Warner's (57) and Marnus Labuschagne's (62*) half-centuries then propelled the hosts to successfully chase the target.