Big Upset for Pakistan, Star Pacer Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022
The upcoming edition of the Asia Cup will see six Asian teams competing against each other for the biggest tournament in the Asian region. The tournament will kick off on Saturday, August 27 with a match between Afghanistan and Sri Lanka at Dubail International Cricket Stadium.
However, the biggest news of the town is that Pakistan's spearhead, Shaheen Afridi, has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 and also of the seven-match T20 series against England at home. This is a huge set-back for the Men in Green as Shaheen has been the leader of their bowling attack.
This will surely dent the confidence of Babar Azam and his team because they will face India in their opening game on Sunday, August 28. Shaheen Afridi was the reason that India faced a horrible defeat in the last edition of the T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE.
He dismissed both Indian openers cheaply and then came in the end to dismiss Virat Kohli in the last meeting between the two teams. However, as per the latest report, the left-armer is suffering from a knee injury, which led him to miss the second test against Sri Lanka.
The report further suggests that it will take at least 4-6 weeks until he can fully recover and make his return in October. Apart from the Asia Cup, he will also miss the seven-match T20I series against England, starting on September 20.
BREAKING: Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the 2022 Asia Cup.
— ICC (@ICC) August 20, 2022
Details ⬇️
The Chief Medical Officer of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Dr Najeebullah, confirmed this report. He said that the left-armer is upset about missing the Asia Cup but needs time to recover, and PCB’s Sports & Exercise Medicine Department will work closely with him so that he can make his comeback soon.
He said, "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."
Shaheen will stay with the team for his rehab program. On the other hand, the PCB hasn't announced the replacement for the left-arm pacer.