Shaheen Afridi has been a vital cog in Pakistan’s bowling lineup in the past few years. The left-arm pacer’s injury weakened Pakistan’s bowling lineup in the Asia Cup 2022 to an extent. While Afridi has been named in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2022 squad, it is still not clear whether he will be able to recover from knee injury till then. Amidst uncertainty, former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed has made a strong statement.
“There are two types of injuries. One due to fatigue and the other due to...Shaheen got injured because he dived while fielding and then as rested. In such cases, you make it pain-free first, then the rehab starts. And the medical team will of course ensure before declaring him fit for selection. Fast bowlers like Shaheen Afridi are not born every day. My advice toh yehi he ki yeh World Cup agar nehi bhi khele toh...Shaheen ki zyada value he World Cup se (my advice to him is to to risk his injury and play in the upcoming T20 World Cup because Shaheen is more important than this World Cup),” Javed was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
The 22-year-old pacer got injured during Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka. However, he was part of Pakistan's squad for ODI series against minnows Netherlands. Later, he was ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 and was sent to London for his rehabilitation.
"Shaheen Shah Afridi requires uninterrupted, dedicated knee specialist care and London offers some of the best sports medical and rehabilitation facilities in the world. In the best interest of the player, we have decided to send him there," PCB Chief Medical Officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro had said in a statement released by ICC.
“Whilst in London, Shaheen will remain under the supervision of the PCB Medical Advisory Panel, which also comprises London-based Dr Imtiaz Ahmad 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),” the statement further read.
Afridi was sensational in last edition of T20 World Cup in UAE. He got the wickets of Indian openers KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma with the new ball which helped Pakistan beat India for the first time in a World Cup event.
