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Shaheen Afridi has recovered from the knee injury and is set to join the Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. Afridi who has been out of the squad for a few months, will return to the arena in the two warm-up games against England and Afghanistan on October 17 and 19 respectively.
Afridi had been undergoing rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Medical Advisory Committee.
“I am super excited at the prospect of rejoining the national side for the T20 World Cup and playing my part in the campaign," Shaheen said in a statement released by PCB. "It has been a difficult period for me to be 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 10 days with full run-up and pace. While I have enjoyed bowling and batting in the nets, nothing can replace the feel of match environment and I can’t wait to be in that setting.”
However, the team management will assess Shaheen's match fitness during the two warm-up encounters to take a decision on whether he will be leading the pace attack against India on October 23 at Melbourne Cricket Ground or not.
“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,” the left-arm pacer added.
Many had criticised how Afridi’s injury was handled by the board. Afridi got injured during the Test series against Sri Lanka but was part of the squad against minnows Netherlands.
The 22-year-old bowled a phenomenal spell against India last year to get the wickets of openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with the new ball. The double strikes had a major impact on India's score as Pakistan registered their first-ever World Cup win over the arch-rivals.
So far, Shaheen has taken 47 wickets from 40 T20Is at an average of 24.31 and an economy rate of 7.75 runs per over.
