Shaheen Afridi To Miss The Asia Cup Due To Knee Injury

In a big blow to the Pakistan team, their leading pacer Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 due to knee injury. He has been ruled out of the Asia Cup and the 7-match T20I home series against England in September.

The 22-year-old left arm pacer picked injury in his right knee ligament while fielding in the 1st Test match against Sri Lanka. He is currently in Netherlands as a part of the Pakistan squad but not fit to be in the playing 11.

Afridi has been advised rest of four to six weeks and Pakistan would want their best bowler to be fit before the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 which is set to take place in October-November in Australia. Pakistan will play their opening contest against India on 28 August at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Pakistan is expecting Afridi to join back the squad in the T20I tri-series in New Zealand which will have Bangladesh as well. The series is scheduled to start on 7 October. Afridi has been out of action since July.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief medical officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro, said, “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.”