Shaheen Afridi ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 due to knee ligament injury

It has been learned that the pacer has been advised four to six weeks of rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee.

In what can be called an absolute shocker for Team Pakistan, Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022. The left-arm speedster, who has been spearheading the national team’s bowling attack for a while, sustained a knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. This will keep him out of action for quite some time.

It has been learned that the pacer has been advised four to six weeks of rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee and independent specialists following latest scans and reports. This means, apart from the Asia Cup, the pace merchant will also miss the historic home series against England next month. He’s expected to return back to action with the New Zealand T20I tri-series in October, which will be followed by the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia.

Shaheen Afridi is upset with the news

“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,” PCB Chief Medical Officer Dr. Najeebullah Soomro was quoted as saying by Cricket World.

“PCB’s Sports & Exercise Medicine Department will be working closely with the player over the coming weeks to ensure his safe return to competitive cricket,” he added. Afridi’s absence has certainly jolted down Pakistan’s chances of clinching the continental tournament and it will be interesting to see who comes in as his replacement. With Hasan Ali not being picked in the squad, the onus of leading the inexperienced pace attack will be on Haris Rauf.

It is also a great opportunity for the likes of Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, and Shahnawaz Dahani to put up an impressive show and stake a claim in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad. Meanwhile, the Babar Azam-led side will kickstart its campaign against arch-rivals India on August 28.