Pakistan have suffered a major blow ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022, with their ace speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi being ruled out of the competition with a knee injury.
Afridi picked up a right knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka last month and has been out of action since. He will continue to stay with the national team that is playing an ODI series in the Netherlands currently and will continue the rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the team trainer and physiotherapist.
The 22-year-old has been advised a rest for four to six weeks following the latest scans, which means that he will also miss the seven-match T20I series against England at home in September.
Per to the Pakistan Cricket Board, the player will return for the tri-series in New Zealand, which also features Bangladesh, in early October, which is Pakistan’s last international assignment before the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
“I have spoken with Shaheen and he is understandably upset with the news, but he is a brave young man who has vowed to come back strongly to serve his country and team,”
said PCB Chief Medical Officer Dr Najeebullah Soomro.
“Although he has made progress during his rehabilitation in Rotterdam, it is now clear he will require more time and is likely to return to competitive cricket in October.”
“PCB’s Sports & Exercise Medicine Department will be working closely with the player over the coming weeks to ensure his safe return to competitive cricket.”
Afridi’s replacement in Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2022 squad is expected to be named soon. The Babar Azam-led side will begin their campaign against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Stadium on August 28.
