In what comes as a major blow for the Pakistan cricket team, their lead pacer Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022. He has been carrying an injury since the first of the two-match series against Sri Lanka last month. Since then, he hasn’t played a game and was following his recovery routine with the team.
Currently, the team is in the Netherlands for a three-match ODI series. The left-arm pacer was expected to recover ahead of the continental tournament, which will start on August 27. However, with only one week left at the start of the tournament, the former Pakistan U19 player has been ruled out for the next four to six weeks. This means that he won’t be playing in the home series against England.
For the unversed, the Asian team will host the Three Lions for seven-match T20I series next month.
Shaheen Afridi has vowed to come back stronger: Dr. Najeebullah Soomro
PCB Chief Medical doctor, Dr. Najeebullah Soomro has said that Afridi has vowed to come back stronger and served his team and the nation. The doctor explained that the pacer recovered well during the ongoing tour of the Netherlands. However, the doctor insisted that the 22-year-old will return to competitive cricket in October
“I have spoken with Shaheen and he is understandably upset with the news, but he is 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’s Sports & Exercise Medicine Department will be working closely with the player over the coming weeks to ensure his safe return to competitive cricket.”
Shaheen will stay with the squad to complete his rehabilitation. Shaheen’s replacement for the ACC T20 Asia Cup will be announced shortly. The Pakistan side will arrive in Dubai from Rotterdam on Monday.
This is how Twitter reacted
Shaheen Afridi being ruled out of Asia Cup takes the sting out of India vs Pakistan clashes in Dubai
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) August 20, 2022
Shaheen Afridi has suffered a right knee ligament injury and has been ruled out of both the Asia Cup and the home T20 series against England. A devastating blow for Pakistan but an opportunity for the back-up seamers to impress. Wishing Shaheen a speedy recovery. pic.twitter.com/H8qcC8zN3i
— Aatif Nawaz (@AatifNawaz) August 20, 2022
Big set back for Pakistan ahead of Asia Cup
Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out from Asia Cup & home series against England ??????? pic.twitter.com/txa9eHiJTQ
— Shoaib Jatt (@Shoaib_Jatt) August 20, 2022
No Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi in Asia Cup 2022??
Batters can breathe easy?#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/WgZdpH4PiY
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) August 20, 2022
Shaheen Afridi ruled out of Asia Cup. PAK awam begging PCB to bring back Mohammad Amir & not Hassan Ali. pic.twitter.com/JGFy8Rwl1J
— The Memer (@TheMemerContest) August 20, 2022
Pakistani Fans to Babar Azam after the news of Shaheen Afridi. pic.twitter.com/X5xqUrxUPG
— Taimoor Zaman (@taimoorze) August 20, 2022
Shaheen Afridi is ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022. Yes, you read that right ? pic.twitter.com/LJuldwDKlD
— Shaheens Brigade (@ShaheensBrigade) August 20, 2022
Shaheen Afridi out of Asia cup? I know where to knock.. pic.twitter.com/tKmjmmvu9V
— Muhammad Hasan Ali (@MHasanAliiV2) August 20, 2022
Ok so now.. just in case.. Allah na karay.. if we ?? lose against India ?? in the Asia Cup.. we have our excuse ready.. our ace bowler was not playing ?.. or agar jeet gae touuu.. phir tou pata hi hai.. ?#ShaheenAfridi #AsiaCup2022 #PAKvIND #CricketTwitter
— Ammar Malik ?? ?? (@ammar_malik93) August 20, 2022
After Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi now ruled out of the Asia Cup.?
So much similarities in fortune between the Asian giants.?#shaheenafridi #PakistanCricket #AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/tPTx76acSO
— Analystique (@Analystique_in) August 20, 2022
