Former Pakistan Captain Says This Pacer Can Be The "Main Hero" In Shaheen Afridi's Absence

22.08.2022 - 07:07 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the Asia Cup last week, which has raised doubts over the quality of the team's bowling line-up for the tournament.

Afridi, who ran past India's batting line-up during the T20 World Cup last year, had picked up a knee injury during the Test series in Sri Lanka last month and will not be able to recover in time for the tournament.

While several current and ex-Pakistan players have raised concerns over Shaheen's absence, former captain Salman Butt feels that the star pacer's absence will present other players like Haris Rauf with a good chance to take the center stage.

Butt further said that there will be an additional responsibility on Rauf, who can become the hero in Shaheen's absence. "Shaheen is our best bowler but if other players like Shahnawaz Dahani and Haris Rauf want to impress, this is the perfect platform to do so," Butt said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel. "Now look at Haris, first he was Shaheen's supporting actor, now he could be the main hero.

cricket 2022 Shaheen Afridi Shaheen Shah Afridi Netherlands India Dubai Sri Lanka Pakistan

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is undergoing rehab in London and he is trying to make sure that he is available for the T20 World Cup slated to be played in Australia in October-November this year. After Pakistan's victory over India in the Super 4 stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday, pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf interacted with Shaheen, who is currently in London.

"No Bowler From This Group Can Replace Shaheen Afridi": Mohammad Rizwan

Pakistan are missing the services of Shaheen Shah Afridi at the ongoing Asia Cup, and wicketkeeper-batter feels that not even a single bowler from the current crop can fill the shoes of the star pacer. Afridi picked up a knee injury during Pakistan's two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, which ruled him out of the Asia Cup. While the likes of Naseem Shah and Shahnawaz Dahani have performed well so far in the tournament, Rizwan said that filling Afridi's shoes isn't easy.

"Criminal Act": Mohammad Hafeez Slams PCB's Handling Of Injured Shaheen Afridi

One of Pakistan's biggest concerns going into the 2022 T20 World Cup that begins in October is the fitness of star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi. The left-arm seamer had sustained a knee injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in July. The injury ruled him out of the second Test against Sri Lanka and subsequent ODI series in Netherlands as well as the ongoing Asia Cup in the UAE, even though he accompanied the squad to both the Netherlands as well as UAE. On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed that Shaheen was going to London to undergo further treatment and rehabilitation, with the hope of getting him fit before the World Cup.

Pakistan optimistic of Shaheen Afridi playing World Cup after London rehab

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.

Shaheen Afridi Off To London For Treatment, Focus On Availability For T20 World Cup

Pakistan's top pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will undergo treatment of his knee injury in London. He is expected to regain complete fitness before the T20 World Cup starting mid-October, the PCB said on Monday. Shaheen has departed for London where he will undergo rehabilitation of his injury which he sustained while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in mid-July. The knee injury ruled him out of the second Test against Sri Lanka and subsequent ODI series in Netherlands as well as the ongoing Asia Cup in the UAE.

Pakistan confident Shaheen Afridi will be fit for T20 World Cup

The Pakistan Cricket Board say they are confident Shaheen Afridi will be fit to play at the T20 World Cup.