‘It is difficult for the players to manage…’- Shoaib Akhtar evaluates mindset of modern day cricketers

Pakistan’s former cricketer Shoaib Akhtar recently sheds light on the general mindset of the modern day as they prioritise plane franchise cricket league instead of international Cricket due to high payroll. He believes that the players can already plan their schedule considering the international cricket tournaments which are not planned while the franchise cricket tournaments are mostly conducted during the same window of the year. 

Akhtar also highlights how he could have played 20 cricket leagues if they existed during his time or he would have played during this era but he’s also that he does not play in this era. He openly admitted that since the high-scoring matches are thrilling the batter thrash the bowlers and brutally insult them which he would not have tolerated, being the fastest bowler in the world. 

Shoaib Akhtar on the popularity of franchise Cricket

“We will have to see the priorities. The players now have to plan their year according to their national team and the league schedules at the same time. It is difficult for the players to manage their careers because they are playing way too much T20 cricket. But this is the way forward, right? And this is the way forward for broadcasters,” Akhtar was quoted by the Hindustan Times.

“Because they are demanding the shortest format of cricket. The interest of this generation has been reduced to one or two hours. As I said, the priorities have changed. But I’m glad that cricket is growing; I want this game to be global rather than a couple of regions,” he added.

“If I was still playing? Thank god I’m not playing in this era. The way the batters insult bowlers these days, I wouldn’t have tolerated that. Having said that, it would’ve been difficult. I used to get warm-up in four years. In a season, I used to bowl around 800–900 overs. I would’ve played around 20 leagues in a season,” Akhtar said.