Pakistan's key bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is all set to join the national team before the men in green kickstart their ICC T20 World Cup 2022 campaign in Australia. The bowler suffered a knee injury during July's Galle Test versus Sri Lanka. He was sent for a rehabilitation process to London during Asia Cup 2022 and has been making fair progress since then.
The reports have been assuring his recovery, and the official news has come our way from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). According to the latest PCB release, Shaheen is ready to rock with his bowling in the marquee event. Earlier, he was advised to rest for at least four weeks.
As a consequence, the pacer missed the home T20I series against England after the Asia Cup and could not feature in the ongoing tri-series despite being named in the squad. Notably, Pakistan's World Cup-bound squad is tackling the New Zealand tri-series 2022 and will depart for Australia after it ends.
Sharing happy news for the fans, the young bowler will be available for selection for the team's warm-up games of the T20 World Cup 2022. He will join the national team in Brisbane on October 15th after undergoing his rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the PCB Medical Advisory Committee at the Crystal Palace Football Club.
Pakistan are scheduled to play their warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan on the 17th and 19th of October, respectively. Despite his availability, the team management and medical panel will assess his fitness before the final call for his name in the XIs.
Opening up with the excitement on his return, Afridi stated,
“I am super excited at the prospects of rejoining the national side for the T20 World Cup and playing my part in our Australia campaign. It has been a difficult period for me to be miles away from the game and the team I love the most and not be part of some gruelling and exciting matches.
“I have been bowling six to eight overs trouble-free for the past ten days with full run-up and pace. While I have enjoyed bowling and batting in the nets, nothing can replace the feel of the match environment, and I can’t wait to be in that setting.
“It has been a rigorous and challenging rehabilitation programme, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it. To be honest, I am feeling fitter than ever before and can’t wait to wear the playing kit and fire a few thunderbolts.”
