Pakistan captain backs Afridi’s recovery, says medical panel will decide final call
Karachi
Pakistan’s T20 captain Salman Ali Agha on Wednesday expressed optimism that pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi will recover in time to feature in next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite the fast bowler currently undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury.
Afridi, a cornerstone of Pakistan’s pace attack across formats, picked up the injury while fielding during a recent Big Bash League match in Australia. He was subsequently released by Brisbane Heat and recalled by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for rehabilitation under the supervision of the board’s medical panel at the High Performance Centre in Lahore.
“We are hopeful he will be fit for the World Cup, but the final decision will come from the Board on the advice of the medical panel,” Salman told reporters in Dambulla, where Pakistan are set to face Sri Lanka in the opening T20I of the three-match series on Wednesday.
The PCB on Wednesday shared a video of Shaheen undergoing rehabilitation, though it did not specify the severity of the injury or provide a timeline for his return to full fitness. This is not the first time the left-arm pacer has faced knee trouble, having previously suffered a similar injury in 2021 during a Test match in Galle that sidelined him for several months.
The upcoming T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan scheduled to play all their matches in Sri Lanka. Salman said the ongoing bilateral series would serve as vital preparation for the tournament.
“We have managed to put together a balanced and strong side for the World Cup. This series will help the players a lot, especially those who haven’t played much cricket in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Pakistan have named only one debutant, Khawaja Nafay, in their squad for the Sri Lanka series. The squad also marks the return of experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan, who has been recalled after an eight-month absence following shoulder surgery. Shadab earned his comeback after impressive performances in the Big Bash League in December, giving Pakistan an added boost ahead of the global event.
