Afridi injured ahead of Australia series

Pakistan suffered an injury scare just a week before the start of their tough series against Australia when it was revealed that captain Shahid Afridi is nursing a side strain.

Pakistan suffered an injury scare just a week before the start of their tough series against Australia when it was revealed that captain Shahid Afridi is nursing a side strain.

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Afridi has confirmed that the strain has troubled him a bit but is confident that he will recover in time to play in the opening Twenty20 International against Australia on July 5 in Birmingham.

The seasoned all-rounder, who is leading his team in a warm-up match against Kent in Canterbury, will be visiting a clinic later on Wednesday to ascertain the full extent of the injury.

"I don't think its anything serious," said Afridi. "Its just a minor side strain and hopefully I'll be fully fit soon."

Afridi, 30, will lead Pakistan in back-to-back series against Australia and England later this summer. At the helm of a relatively inexperienced team, Afridi has to carry much of his team's hopes during the tour which include two T20 games and two Tests against Australia and four Tests, five One-day Internationals and two Twenty20 matches against England.