Tag: Shaheen Afridi

KARACHI: Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, who missed the recently-concluded Asia Cup 2022 due to a knee injury, announced on Tuesday that he is ‘almost there’ on his road to recovery for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.

Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup 2022 and failed to end a decade-long trophy drought in the continental event. The two-time champions had a rather decent tournament but undoubtedly missed the services of their ace pacer Shaheen.

The left-arm pacer initially accompanied the squad in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) before travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) for rehabilitation.

The pacer’s rehabilitation is now in full swing in a bid to achieve complete fitness to partake in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and the tri-series in New Zealand, scheduled in October.

The star pacer shared glimpses of himself working out in the gym with the caption “Almost there.”

 

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It is pertinent to mention here that Shaheen suffered from Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury during the first Test against Sri Lanka in July and was advised four to six weeks of rest.

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DUBAI: Pakistan team’s main strike bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has departed for London where he will complete his rehabilitation, announced Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday. 

Shaheen, who was earlier ruled out of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 and the seven-match T20I home series against England due to a knee ligament injury, will remain under the supervision of the PCB Medical Advisory Panel, which also includes London-based Dr Imtiaz Ahmed and Dr Zafar Iqbal during his stay in London.

Dr Imtiaz has been the Head of Medical Services at the Queens Park Rangers Football Club since 2016, while Dr Zafar is Head of Sports Medicine at the Crystal Palace Football Club since 2015 (having worked previously with Tottenham Hotspur FC, Liverpool FC and Kent County Cricket Club).

“Shaheen Shah Afridi requires uninterrupted, dedicated knee specialist care and London offers some of the best sports medical and rehabilitation facilities in the world. In the best interest of the player, we have decided to send him there,” said PCB Chief Medical Officer, Dr Najeebullah Soomro.

“The medical department will receive daily feedback on his progress whilst in London and we are confident Shaheen will return to full fitness before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.” he added.

It is worth mentioning here that Shaheen suffered a PCL injury in July whilst fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka. He is expected to be completely fit before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, although his return to competitive cricket will be determined by the PCB Medical Advisory Panel.

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DUBAI: Pakistan Cricket Board ended the suspense of millions of cricket fans who were eager to listen to the exact conversation between Pakistan’s injured bowling star Shaheen Afridi and former Indian skipper Virat Kohli as they met during the practice session for the Asia Cup 2022. 

Virat Kohli and other members of the Indian team were seen greeting Shaheen and inquired about his injury in a video posted by PCB on its official Twitter account, however, the conversation between the two stars was inaudible which left many cricket fans on tenterhooks.

PCB shared another video with clear audio of the conversation between the two in which Kohli could be heard asking Shaheen about his injury while the pacer wishes him luck for a strong comeback.

The suspense is over! Let's listen to the conversation between @iShaheenAfridi and @imVkohli 🔊#AsiaCup2022 pic.twitter.com/ttVYLrNtuO

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 26, 2022

Apart from Kohli, Yuzendra Chahal, Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul also met the star Pakistani pacer and inquired about his knee injury.

Shaheen has been ruled out of the Asia Cup due to a knee injury as the PCB medical team advised him to rest for a further four to six weeks in order to completely recover from his injury.

Meanwhile, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain has been included in the squad as a replacement for the left-arm pacer.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan will take on the arch-rivals India in their Asia Cup opener on Sunday.

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AMSTERDAM: Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi requested his fans to pray for his speedy recovery and comeback to the national team.

Shaheen, on his way to Dubai along with the national squad, talked to this reporter here and appealed to the nation to pray for the speedy recovery of the left-arm pacer.

“I request the fans to pray for my quick recovery. I’ll be back soon Inshallah,” he stated.

On his departure to Dubai, the left-arm pacer also interacted with the fans and also posed for selfies with them.

Earlier, PCB Medical Advisory Committee and independent specialists suggested the star pacer to rest for four to six weeks in light of the latest scans and reports.

Following this, the left-arm pacer was ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 and the home T20I series against England and is likely to make his comeback in the home series against New Zealand.

It is pertinent to mention here that the 22-year-old pacer sustained the injury amid Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

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ROTTERDAM: Pakistan all-format captain Babar Azam urged the new players in the team to showcase their talent and deliver performances in the absence of the team’s main strike Shaheen Shah Afridi from Asia Cup 2022 and the upcoming T20I home series against England. 

“We will definitely miss Shaheen for his outstanding performances and contributions to the team but it’s an opportunity for newcomers to show their skills and talent,”  said Babar.

Shaheen Afridi has been ruled out of the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup as he has been recovering from a knee ligament injury. Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain will replace the left-arm pacer for the tournament.

While commenting on the team’s performance after they whitewashed the Netherlands in the recently concluded three-match ODI series, the skipper stated that as a captain his plan was to bat in difficult conditions and then the bowlers defend the target.

“The wicket was difficult early on and bowlers were getting help due to moisture and seaming conditions but our batters did well,” he said.

Babar lauded the young pacer Naseem Shah for his sensational bowling as he grabbed five wickets and played an instrumental role in the team’s victory in the last match.

“I’m giving the hundred per cent credit to the fast bowlers, spinners and fielders for the win, especially the way Naseem Shah bowled with the new ball and the way he finished in the death overs, it was outstanding,” he added.

Furthermore, the skipper hailed the Netherlands team and their cricket board and expressed gratitude to the fans for coming out in numbers from different countries and showing their support for the team.

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LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain will replace injured Shaheen Shah Afridi in the national squad for the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 scheduled from August 27 in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced the right-arm pacer Hasnain as a replacement to the team’s main strike bowler Shaheen after the latter has been ruled out for the Asia Cup due to a knee ligament injury.

The 22 years old Hasnain will join the side from the United Kingdom where he is currently playing The Hundred tournament representing Oval Invincibles.

Hasnain has represented Pakistan in 18 T20Is in which he has taken 17 wickets.

After concluding the ongoing tour of the Netherlands the national contingent is set to depart for Dubai on Monday, whereas,  Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed and Usman Qadir will leave for Dubai in the wee hours of Tuesday replacing Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Haris, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.

Pakistan team will face the arch-rivals India in their first encounter of the Asia Cup on August 28.

Pakistan squad for ACC T20 Asia Cup:

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.

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ROTTERDAM: Pakistan team head coach Saqlain Mushtaq lauded the young fast bowler Naseem Shah for his phenomenal performance in the recently concluded ODI series against the Netherlands while he expressed his concern over the absence of the team’s main strike Shaheen Shah Afridi from Asia Cup 2022 after he was ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.

“Shaheen’s absence from Asia Cup will hurt the team,” he said in an interview with this reporter.

” Shaheen is currently the top performer in international cricket. He has proven himself all over the world,” he added.

When asked about the left-arm pacer’s possible replacement in the team for the upcoming tournament, Saqlain replied that it would be tough to find an alternate for a key player of your team.

While commenting on the national team’s average performance against a lower-ranked side, the head coach stated that the team needed at least ten days to adjust itself to the foreign conditions.

“Whenever a team visits a country, it takes at least ten days to get familiar with the new conditions,” he said.

Furthermore, Saqlain heaped praises on the 19-year-old Naseem, who made his ODI debut during the tour and remained inspirational with the ball as he bagged a five-wicket haul in the last match.

“Naseem Shah is a match winner and he has proved this. He has bowled with so much control during the series” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan whitewashed the Netherlands in the three-match ODI series and gained 30 crucial points in ICC Cricket World Cup Super League following the victory.

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KARACHI: Pakistan ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the upcoming Asia Cup 2022 as his knee injury worsen.

The PCB Medical Advisory Committee and independent specialists suggested the star pacer for the rest in light of the latest scans and reports.

Following this, the left-arm pacer has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2022 and the home T20I series against England.

According to the details, Shaheen will be out of action for four to six weeks and is likely to make his comeback in the home series against New Zealand, scheduled later this year.

The 22-year-old pacer sustained the injury amid Pakistan’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle, which resulted in him in missing the second match of the series and the first two ODIs against the Netherlands.

Earlier, Pakistan captain Babar Azam asserted that the star pacer will play at least one match in the ongoing ODI series against the Netherlands, in a bid to prepare for the Asian event.

Shaheen expressed displeasure when the ace pacer was informed of his fitness update by PCB Chief Medical Officer Najeeb Ullah Soomro, who shared with this reporter here.

“I spoke to Shaheen Afridi and he is upset after hearing this news. He is a brave young man and will soon come back to cricket in full force and represent the country,” Soomro stated.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi has shown improvement during rehab in Rotterdam but still needs some time to improve further,” he revealed.

It is pertinent to mention here that the PCB will announce Shaheen’s replacement in due course. Whereas, the national contingent is set to depart for Dubai on Monday after the conclusion of their ongoing ODI series against the Netherlands.

ROTTERDAM: Pakistan ace-pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to miss the first two matches of the upcoming ODI series against the Netherlands, confirmed Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday.

According to the PCB, the left-arm pacer has been ruled out of the first two games as he is currently undergoing rehabilitation after he pulled a knee injury during the Sri Lanka tour.

Meanwhile, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has the opportunity to set another record for himself as a century in the forthcoming ODI series will make him the first Pakistan captain to score 10 tons.

Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan, on the other hand, needs to score 18 runs in the upcoming series to complete one thousand runs in ODI cricket.

Earlier Babar, in a press conference ahead of the team’s departure for the Netherlands also hinted at Shaheen’s possible absence as he revealed that the left-arm pacer will be rested at least for the first two ODIs, while at the same time expressing his desire for Shaheen to regain his fitness before Asia Cup 2022.

“We’re looking long-term at his fitness and health. We want him to play a game against the Netherlands if he’s fit and be ready for the Asia Cup,” Babar said.

“We have eleven trump cards. Each of them can be a matchwinner on their day. I have faith in every one of them, whether batters or bowlers,” he maintained.

Despite a knee injury, Shaheen was named for the upcoming Asia Cup.

Besides Shaheen, Pakistan all-format captain Babar also opened up on the ouster of the right-arm pacer Hasan Ali by stating that the latter has a chance to regain his form by playing domestic cricket.

“Our fast-bowling bench strength is excellent. They’ve now got an opportunity to showcase their skills. This is how you expand your pool,” Babar asserted.

“Yes, he’s (Ali) not in form, but it’s not like he has to prove anything. Domestic cricket is coming up. He’ll play that and make a strong comeback hopefully,” he maintained.

It is pertinent to mention here that the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Netherlands will kick start on August 16. Whereas, the Green Shirts will start their Asia Cup 2022 campaign on August 28 against India.

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LAHORE: Pakistan’s all-format captain Babar Azam backed the team’s main strike bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi during his recovery from a knee injury and wanted him to be completely fit before the Asia Cup 2022.

Speaking to a scheduled press conference ahead of the national team’s ODI tour of the Netherlands, Babar stated that Shaheen would be travelling with the team so they could assess his fitness as the left-arm pacer is currently undergoing rehabilitation after he pulled an injury during Sri Lanka tour.

“In order to evaluate his fitness, we are taking Shaheen along with the team as we want him to be completely fit before the Asia Cup, ” he said.

The skipper opined on out-of-form Hasan Ali’s exclusion from the national squad and expressed confidence that a strong performance in the domestic season would propel his return to the national side.

“Hasan Ali is a team-man. Obviously, he is out-of-form but he has already demonstrated the type of athlete he is. I am confident that he will make a comeback after the upcoming domestic season,” he added.

While responding to a question on all-rounder Imad Wasim’s inclusion in the team, Babar stated that since Mohammad Nawaz had been performing well in the limited overs format, he would be continuing with the team yet the doors were not closed for Imad as well.

Furthermore, Babar extended full confidence in the middle-order batters, expecting strong performances from Khushdil Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed and Asif Ali in the absence of experienced Shoaib Malik and Mohamad Hafeez.

Moreover, the national team skipper lauded the Pakistani athletes Arshad Nadeem and Nooh Dastgir Butt for winning the gold medals in the recently concluded Commonwealth Games and urged proper training facilities for the national athletes.

It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan will play a three-match away ODI series against the Netherlands from August 16 to 21. The side will depart for Amsterdam in the wee hours of Friday, August 12.

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