LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has attained complete recovery and will be available for selection in the side’s warm-up matches of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022.
According to the details, Shaheen will join the national squad in Brisbane as per the schedule on October 15, after undergoing his rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the PCB Medical Advisory Committee at the Crystal Palace Football Club.
As a result, Shaheen will be available for selection for the 17 and 19 October warm-up matches against England and Afghanistan, respectively.
The team management, however, will assess his match fitness prior to his participation in the matches.
Speaking on the occasion, Shaheen expressed his excitement for being able to rejoin the squad after recovering from the injury, while also termed it a challenging period to be miles away from the game.
“I am super excited at the prospects of rejoining the national side for the T20 World Cup and playing my part in our Australia campaign. It has been a difficult period for me to be miles away from the game and the team I love the most, and not be part of some gruelling and exciting matches.
“I have been bowling six to eight overs trouble-free for the past 10 days with full run-up and pace. While I have enjoyed bowling and batting in the nets, nothing can replace the feel of the match environment and I can’t wait to be in that setting.
“It has been a rigorous and challenging rehabilitation programme, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it. To be honest, I am feeling fitter than ever before and can’t wait to wear the playing kit and fire a few thunderbolts.”
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.
READ: Ayesha, Omaima star as Pakistan sink Sri Lanka in nail-biter
