Indian fans – and even Indian batters – can have a sigh of relief as the Indian top-order will not have to face Shaheen Afridi in the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as the Pakistani speedster has been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury, the PCB announced on Saturday. They will soon name a replacement of Afridi in the squad.
Afridi has been “advised 4-6 weeks rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee” which means that he has been ruled out of the Asia Cup and the following 7-T20I series against England at home.
The left-arm pacer is expected to return to competitive cricket in October, during the New Zealand T20I tri-series which also involved Bangladesh, which will be about two weeks prior to the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia in October.
Afridi picked up a right knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in July and has played any game since. He is with the Pakistan team in the Netherlands as part of his rehabilitation programme, being monitored by the trainer and the physiotherapist.
Shaheen Afridi had destroyed India’s batting last time
Shaheen Afridi was the wrecker-in-chief when he dismantled India’s batting in their previous encounter at the T20 World Cup 2021: the fast bowler dismissed Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in his opening spell in the powerplay, and toward the end of the innings, he got rid of Virat Kohli, helping Pakistan register a big win.
The winner of the @Nissan Play of the Tournament from the 2021 ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup is:
Shaheen Afridi’s blistering opening spell against India
pic.twitter.com/uv94PnVd89
— ICC (@ICC) November 17, 2021
The two teams will face off on August 28, at that same venue, Dubai; such is the Asia Cup 2022’s format that India and Pakistan could potentially clash thrice in the tournament including the final.
Afridi’s absence might provide the Indian top-order with some sort of solace. This even balances out between the two teams as India also will not have the services of their own spearhead pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 due to injury.
Shaheen Afridi, 22, was gutted to miss out on an important tournament.
“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. 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,” said PCB Chief Medical Officer Dr Najeebullah Soomro.
