Shaheen Afridi ruled out of Asia Cup due to knee injury

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2022. He has been advised four to six weeks rest by the medical team following an injury to the right knee ligament.

Pakistan was dealt a huge blow with Shaheen Afridi being ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup. | Photo Credit: AFP

Highlights

• Shaheen Afridi ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 with knee injury
• Shaheen will also miss the home series against England
• Shaheen is expected to be fit for the T20 World Cup

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of Asia Cup 2022 with injury. He has been advised four to six weeks rest by the medical team following an injury to the right knee ligament. Mohammad Hasnain has replaced him.

Shaheen will also miss the home series against England. But he is expected to return before the ICC men’s T20 World Cup in Australia. He suffered the injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Pakistan begins its Asia Cup campaign against India on August 28 in Dubai. Shaheen had played a crucial role in Pakistan’s victory against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, winning the Player of the Match award for his spell of 3 for 31 in four overs.

“I have spoken with Shaheen, and he is understandably upset with the news, but he is a brave young man who has vowed to come back strongly to serve his country and team,” PCB Chief Medical Officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro said.

“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.

“PCB’s Sports & Exercise Medicine Department will be working closely with the player over the coming weeks to ensure his safe return to competitive cricket.”

Shaheen will remain with the Pakistan squad as he completes his rehabilitation. PCB will announce a replacement for Shaheen for the Asia Cup soon.

Note - The copy has been updated to reflect the name of Shaheen Afridi’s replacement

Pakistan squad for Asia Cup

Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain