Babar Azam Gives Injury Update On India's Big Threat Shaheen Afridi Ahead Of Asia Cup

12.08.2022 - 17:33 sports.ndtv.com

India are slated to taken on Pakistan in the Asia Cup on 28th August and the biggest threat for the star-studded Indian batting line-up will once again be the left-handed paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi.

It was Afridi, who dented India's chances in last year's T20 World Cup clash between the arch rivals as he dismissed openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul during a fiery spell.

Pakistan's premier paceman, who was adjudged ICC's Player of the Year in 2021, is currently sidelined due to an injury. Afridi missed Pakistan's second Test against Sri Lanka due to a bruised knee and the team went on to lose the match.

Ahead of the team's departure for the tour of Netherlands and Asia Cup, skipper Babar Azam was asked about Afridi's fitness.

cricket 2022 cup on Shaheen Afridi Babar Azam Asia Cup Shaheen Shah Afridi Netherlands India Sri Lanka Pakistan

cricket board is optimistic of his participation in the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia later this year. Left-arm fast bowler Afridi suffered the injury in Sri Lanka last month and was ruled out of the ongoing Asia Cup in the United Arab Emirates despite being named in the preliminary squad by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). "Shaheen Afridi requires uninterrupted, dedicated knee specialist care and London offers some of the best sports medical and rehabilitation facilities in the world," PCB chief medical officer Najeebullah Soomro said in a statement on Monday.

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Asia Cup in Dubai. "The reaction to losing to India has not been the usual criticism because in the build up to the match the camaraderie shown by players of both teams towards each other was brilliant while our team also fought hard till the final over," Pakistan's former captain Moin Khan said.

Asia Cup 2022, India v Pakistan: The way he finished off game was great: Babar Azam praises Hardik Pandya

The crucial partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya helped India defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by five wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. "He did very well in bowling and in batting as he finished off the game was great. According to me, he is a very good all-rounder," said Babar Azam said in a post-match press conference.

Watch: Pakistan Players Entertain Fans Ahead Of India Clash In Asia Cup

The countdown to the India-Pakistan match at the Asia Cup 2022 has begun. It will be the first time after the 2021 T20 World Cup that the arch-rivals will be taking on each other. In that game, the Babar Azam-led Pakistan won the match by 10 wickets to register the team's first-ever win over India in a World Cup match. Virat Kohli was the India captain in that game, while Rohit Sharma has taken over the reins this time. Both teams are filled with talented T20 players.

"Was Actually Touched By The Way They...": Babar Azam On Team India

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 match against India and Pakistan, players from both camps have been exchanging pleasantries during the training session. One heartwarming incident happened on Thursday when the likes of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Yuzvendra Chahal and Rishabh Pant met Shaheen Shah Afridi to check up on his injury. Shaheen has been ruled out of the tournament due to an injury. Pakistan captain Babar Azam has now said that he was touched with the way Team India came up to Shaheen to check up on his injury.

Watch: "Remember Last Year's Game," - Babar Azam's Speech Ahead Of Game vs India

The world is waiting for the contest between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Asia Cup. Pakistan had defeated India in the T20 World Cup last year, so the side will definitely have a spring in their stride as they walk out to the field. With India eyeing a revenge of their 2021 T20 World Cup loss, Pakistan will look to continue their blistering form. Ahead of the much-awaited clash, Pakistan captain Babar Azam encouraged his team by reminding them of their 10-wicket win over India, last year. He urged them to play with the same body language in order to get the same results.