Shaheen Shah Afridi’s T20 World Cup Participation in Doubt Due to Knee Injury
Pakistan’s seasoned left-arm pace bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi, is set to return home from Australia with concerns over his availability for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Afridi sustained a knee injury while fielding for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League (BBL) and has been summoned by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for treatment and rehabilitation at the High-Performance Centre in Lahore.
Having faced a significant amount of time away from the game in the 2021-22 season due to a previous knee surgery following an injury during a Test match in Sri Lanka, Shaheen’s return to competitive cricket has been marred by this latest setback. The seriousness of his current injury and the estimated recovery timeline will be assessed by the PCB’s medical team upon his return.
Expressing his disappointment at having to cut short his stint in the BBL, Shaheen took to social media to share his sentiments. “I have enjoyed my time playing for Brisbane and it’s disheartening that I won’t be able to complete the season with the team. Hopefully, I’ll be back on the field soon,” he stated in a release issued by the BBL side.
Despite featuring in four matches for Brisbane Heat, Shaheen’s performance was below par, managing only two wickets at an average of 76.50. In his debut match, he was removed from the attack after delivering two full-toss deliveries, indicating a lack of form and rhythm. Notably, Shaheen was already omitted from the Pakistan squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka even before his injury setback.
With uncertainty surrounding Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fitness and availability for the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will be closely monitoring his recovery progress to determine his inclusion in the squad for the prestigious tournament. His absence could potentially impact Pakistan’s bowling attack, highlighting the importance of his rehabilitation and swift return to full fitness.
