Shaheen Afridi heads to London to complete rehabilitation, Pakistan hoping to have pacer fit for T20 World Cup
India Today
Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 due to a knee injury he had picked up during a Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle in July. Pakistan are hoping the left-arm pacers recovers in time for the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday, August 29 confirmed that left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi headed o London to complete his rehabilitation from a knee injury that ruled him out of Asia Cup 2022. Afridi left for London from Dubai where he was seen spending time with the Pakistan squad in the lead-up to their opener against India on Sunday.
Pakistan said they are confident of having Shaheen Afridi fit for the T20 World Cup, starting in October in Australia. However, the PCB medical team will take a call on his availability for the showpiece event, based on his recovery status.
Shaheen Afridi was ruled out of Asia Cup after he picked up a knee injury during a Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle in July. The left-arm pacer did not play the ODI series in the Netherlands and local media reports said he was racing against time to get fit for the T20 World Cup.
Asia Cup 2022: Full Coverage
"Whilst in London, Shaheen will remain under the supervision of the PCB Medical Advisory Panel, which also comprises London-based Dr Imtiaz Ahmed and Dr Zafar Iqbal. Since 2016, Dr Imtiaz has been the Head of Medical Services at the Queens Park Rangers Football Club, while Dr Zafar is Head of Sports Medicine at the Crystal Palace Football Club since 2015 (having worked previously with Tottenham Hotspur FC, Liverpool FC and Kent County Cricket Club)," PCB said in a statement.
"Shaheen is expected to regain complete fitness before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, though his return to competitive cricket will be decided upon by the PCB Medical Advisory Panel," it added.
Notably, Shaheen was at the ICC Academy, watching on Pakistan's training session in the lead-up to their Asia Cup opener. Shaheen met and greeted the likes of Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul in Dubai with the Indian stars inquiring the pacer about his injury.
