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Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has returned from injury with much of the ferocity that makes him one of the most dangerous fast bowlers on the planet. Having suffered a knee injury before the Asia Cup, Shaheen came back to the playing XI during a T20 World Cup warm-up game against England. He bowled just two overs and also failed to take a wicket. But it was in the second game against Australia that the pacer was back to his best.
Shaheen struck twice in as many overs to give Pakistan a flying start to the match. He dismissed their opponent openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Hazratullah Zazai, and one of the balls was particularly harmful to Afghanistan, and to Gurbaz. Shaheen bowled a toe-crushing yorker to Gurbaz, who was in immense pain after being struck on the left foot.
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While the umpire gave Gurbaz an LBW out, Afghanistan was more concerned about their player. The play was stopped as the physios came out to check on Gurbaz. He was eventually carried off the field by a substitute fielder as the former couldn't walk. It was later revealed that Gurbaz was taken to the hospital for scans.
The latest update from the Afghanistan cricket board says, "@RGurbaz_21 was sent for scans after being hit on his left foot during the warmup game against Pakistan. Team Doctor stated that the results are clear with no bone fracture. He will be assessed in the next two days and is expected to be available for our fixture on Saturday."
Meanwhile, Afghanistan went on to post a total of 154 for six, thanks largely to skipper Mohammad Nabi's unbeaten knock of 51. After being put into bat, Afghanistan were reeling at 82 for six after Shaheen and Haris Rauf had rattled the top order.
However, Nabi and Usman Ghani added 72 runs for the seventh wicket, taking Afghanistan to a strong total. In reply, Pakistan were 19/0 in 2.2 overs before rain interrupted the proceedings and the match was eventually abandoned.
Afghanistan kick off their Super 12 Group 1 campaign against England on Saturday, October 22, while Pakistan can now turn their attention to facing India in their first match of the tournament on Sunday, October 23, in what has been touted as a mega clash.
