"Shaheen told me...."- PCB Chairman Ramiz Raza gives an important update on Shaheen's fitness for India clash

All the teams are gearing up for the biggest ICC event in 2022, the T20 World Cup 2022. The tournament will start in Australia next week on Thursday (October 16), when Sri Lanka will lock horns against Namibia in the first round of the competition.

Well, the Asia Cup 2022 finalists Pakistan is also playing some back-to-back T20I series to prepare for the mega event. The Men in Green are placed in Group 2, along with India, South Africa, Bangladesh and two qualifying teams. Without a doubt, Paksitan missed their premium pacer, Shaheen Afridi, in the last couple of months.

The pacer suffered a knee injury during the first test against Sri Lanka in June, which kept him away from the action for that long. Although he was picked in the squad for the T20 World Cup, there was doubt about his inclusion in the playing XI, especially against India.

But now, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Ramiz Raza, has opened up on the pacer's availability for the mega event in Australia. He said that the pacer is recovering well and is likely to make it to the team against India on October 23.

In a discussion with Dawn News, Ramiz said that he spoke to the pacer two days back and he is recovering at a good pace. The medical team also sent him the videos which show that Shaheen is almost 90% fit and it looks like he will make it to the first match against India on October 23.

Ramiz also said, "Knee injuries are technical and sensitive, so our opinion was that until he isn't 110%, we won't risk him. But when I spoke to him, he said he is already at 110%. He told me that he will go (to Australia) to play the practice matches and be ready for India."

Apart from the pacer, star batter Fakhar Zaman also suffered a knee injury during the Asia Cup and is currently in rehab. The PCB chairman also spoke about him and said that Fakhar is also doing well and is a great asset for the team, but his addition to the team will depend on how the management feels.

It is good news for Pakistan fans that Shaheen Afridi is recvoering progressively and is likely to make it to the team. On the other hand, India suffered a massive setback when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the T20 World Cup due to a back injury. His replacement is likely to be announced soon.