Pakistan T20 captain Salman Ali Agha optimistic Shaheen Afridi will recover from knee injury in time for next month’s T20 World Cup.
Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan’s T20 captain, is optimistic about Shaheen Shah Afridi’s recovery from a knee injury, and hopes the fast bowler will be fully ready for next month’s T20 World Cup.
Afridi has been a vital role in Pakistan’s pace attack, and his availability may be critical for the team’s chances in the tournament, which is co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
“We are hopeful he will be fit for the World Cup, but the final decision will be made by the (Pakistan Cricket) Board based on medical advice,” Salman told reporters in Dambulla, where Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the first T20I on Wednesday.
Shaheen’s recovery is being overseen by the PCB’s medical panel at the High Performance Centre in Lahore.
On Wednesday, the PCB posted a video of the pacer undergoing rehabilitation, but did not specify the nature of his injuries or how long it will take him to recover fully.
Shaheen injured his knee while fielding in a Big Bash League match in Australia lately. He was released by his team, the Brisbane Heat, after the PCB called him back for rehabilitation.
This is not Shaheen’s first knee ailment. It also happened in 2021 when fielding during a Test in Galle, and the injury sidelined him for several months.
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Salman also stated that Pakistan had prepared a balanced and strong team for the World Cup, and that the series in Sri Lanka will allow his players to acclimate to the country’s weather and ground conditions.
Pakistan will play all of their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
“This series will be extremely beneficial to the players in preparation for the World Cup, particularly those who have not played much cricket in Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s roster for the three-match series against Sri Lanka included only one uncapped player, Khawaja Nafay.
The major news is the return of seasoned all-rounder Shadab Khan to the national side after an eight-month absence due to shoulder surgery.
Shadab was summoned by the national selection after performing well in the Big Bash League in December.