Will Pakistan bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi be back for T20 World Cup 2022

Shaheen Shah Afridi has been out of action since injuring his right knee ligament during fielding in a Test match in Sri Lanka last month. The pacer is not a part of Pakistan’s squad for the ongoing Asia Cup. 

Sans Afridi, who has been the team’s premier fast bowler since 2018, Pakistan lost their Asia Cup opener against India on Sunday. Riding on all-rounder Hardik Pandya’s efforts, Rohit Sharma and co chased down a 148-run target with five wickets and two balls to spare. 

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: 5 reasons why Pakistan lost to India in game 1

Pakistan will be hoping to see Shaheen Afridi, 22, back in action before October’s T20 World Cup in Australia. The bowler, who attended the blockbuster India vs Pakistan game, travelled to London  to complete rehab on his injured knee. 

He will also miss the seven-match T20 series against England in Pakistan next month.

Also read: Watch: India’s winning moment vs Pakistan at Asia Cup 2022

Afridi travelled with the team to the Netherlands earlier this month for the three-match ODI series as the PCB wanted him to continue his rehabilitation program with the national team doctor and the physiotherapist.

He then travelled to the UAE with the team to continue his rehab program, but now the PCB has decided to send the fast bowler to London in the hope he gets fit in time for the T20 World Cup.

Also read: The Shah effect: Naseem follows Shaheen’s footsteps, rattles Indian line-up

“Shaheen Shah Afridi requires uninterrupted, dedicated knee specialist care and London offers some of the best sports medical and rehabilitation facilities in the world,” PCB chief medical officer Najeebullah Soomro said in a statement. “The medical department will receive daily feedback on his progress whilst in London and we are confident Shaheen will return to full fitness before the T20 World Cup.”

With Afridi out, Pakistan handed 19-year-old pacer Naseem Shah his T20I debut against India. The youngster and Shahnawaz Dahani troubled the opponents’ top-order and with Shaheen Shah in the mix, Babar Azam and co would look like a dangerous side in the T20 World Cup.