Pakistan have been handed a huge blow ahead of the Asia Cup 2022 as their frontline fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been ruled out of the six-team competition in the UAE. The knee injury to the 22-year-old is a major blow to Pakistan, who begin their campaign with a mouth-watering fixture against arch-rivals India on Sunday (August 28). Also Read | 'When those 2 pacers came to bowl, it felt like I was facing spinners': Sehwag's favourite India vs Pakistan memory
Despite being ruled out of the tournament, Afridi has travelled with the Pakistan squad. The left-arm seamer's stay in the UAE has reportedly been requested by skipper Babar Azam. Notably, Afridi had also accompanied the team to the Netherlands for a three-match One-Day International series. He was in rehabilitation before doctors advised him to rest for four to six weeks, which effectively ruled him out of the Asia Cup T20s.
"Babar wanted him to stay with the team. Management wants to closely monitor his injury rehab. He will be staying in Dubai itself with the team," a PCB spokesperson confirmed to the local media in Pakistan.
It was Afridi who had anchored Pakistan's upset win over India in last year's Twenty20 World Cup, also played in the UAE. He is expected to return to action in October with the T20 international tri-series in New Zealand, which will be followed by the T20 World Cup in Australia.
"Shaheen has been advised 4-6 weeks rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee and independent specialists following latest scans and reports," said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) release about the bowler's injury.
{{/usCountry}}"Shaheen has been advised 4-6 weeks rest by the PCB Medical Advisory Committee and independent specialists following latest scans and reports," said a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) release about the bowler's injury.
{{/usCountry}}A PCB medical officer said Afridi is expected to recover with rest. "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," doctor Najeebullah Soomro was quoted as saying in the PCB release.
"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."
Mohammad Hasnain has been named as Afridi's replacement for the impending Asia Cup. The pacer has played 18 T20Is for Pakistan picking up 17 wickets at an average of 30.70 with best figures of 3/37.
Afridi so far has played 25 Tests, 32 One-Day Internationals and 40 T20 internationals. He was declared men's cricketer of the year in 2021 after taking 78 wickets in 36 internationals across three formats.