Shahid Afridi to miss first two T20s, may return for third

E-Paper | June 14, 2026

Shahid Afridi applauds the Pakistan supporters at the end of the third ODI against Australia. Afridi, seen here with a bandaged hand, injured his left hand during the match and will miss the first two matches of the T20 series against Australia. – Photo by AP

DUBAI: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi is expected to miss the first two Twenty20 matches against Australia, starting Wednesday, following an injury sustained in the third one-day international.

Afridi injured his left hand while fielding off his own bowling during the final ODI that Pakistan lost on Monday. The 32-year-old split the webbing of his hand and was heavily bandaged during the remaining overs that he bowled.

The 50-Twenty20 veteran is most likely to miss the opening match on September 5 and the second on September 7, but may return for the final T20 on September 10.

Pakistan may opt for former captain Shoaib Malik, also an all-rounder, in place of Afridi in the opening match of the series.

Pakistan T20 squad: Mohammad Hafeez (capt), Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanveer, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Raza Hasan, Yasir Arafat, Mohammad Sami.

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Hassan Farooqi

Sep 06, 2012 05:34pm

Afridi, Misbah and Younis are match fixers night mare, as they can not be bought. No wonder Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, K.Akmal and Salman Butt have problem with at least one of them.

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Waseem

Sep 09, 2012 12:41pm

I agree with you you chose very good words for him

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iqbal

Sep 05, 2012 12:47am

Good riddance overrated, underperformer only good for league matches

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Umair Khalid

Sep 05, 2012 08:19am

My team would be Imran Nazir Nasir Jamshed Kamran Akmal Hafeez Malik Umar Akmal Shafiq / Tanvir / Sami Yasir Arafat Saeed ajmal Umar Gul Raza hassan What do you guys think?

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Abdullah Hussain

Sep 04, 2012 06:32pm

Dear Afridi, we all pray that you come back soon to your old brilliant form in batting. The day you are able to score couple of 50s or at least a 100, your confidence will take a good turn. I think with couple of low batting results your confidence is a bit shaken. Shrug off the low feelings & pledge to be yourself again ASAP. I have heard you saying that you are concentrating on bowling, well do that but remember your fan wants to see your rain of sixes. Inshallah you will succeed. Good Luck to you.

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nasim khan

Sep 05, 2012 09:41am

very good comment and i do agree

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Amir

Sep 04, 2012 10:24pm

I will knock down Mohammad Sami, Raza Hasan, Shahid Afridi, and Shoaib Mailk, I believe this is winning combination for sure.

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syed

Sep 05, 2012 12:41pm

he should stay out for the next 200 years or more if possible.

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Arif

Sep 05, 2012 08:54am

They are not contemplating replacing him with a youngster. Another non performer Shoaib Malik has been recalled to replace Afridi. So much young talent has been wasted by PCB by sticking to consistently failing old guns.

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Fahim Khan

Sep 04, 2012 04:30pm

Really good news!!!, This will increase our chances of winning and also allow youngster to find their deserving place in the team.

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Sher Mohammad

Sep 05, 2012 02:37am

Blessing in disguise for Pakistan! Please do NOT return for the 3rd T-20 either!

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Fen Tian

Sep 05, 2012 12:26am

Please don't come back as you will be liability for team.Pakistan will be playing with one batsman and bowler short in either department.So please don't come back till T20 world cup is over.I feel pity on your situation when we don't want you in playing XI any more.Anyway this Pakistan lineup is week in batting and may struggle to last 20 overs.

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Umair Khalid

Sep 05, 2012 06:57am

Good news as he's becoming a burden on the team and he should consider retiring now

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Sep 04, 2012 04:22pm

Good for the team

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parveez

Sep 04, 2012 10:29pm

If you wany to lose, play Sami.

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Navi

Sep 05, 2012 05:06pm

Good for Pakistan team; please ship him back home so he can rest for ever.. today without him we will sure win the game or even loose than no big deal...

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Obaid

Sep 04, 2012 08:23pm

Good-He could have been rested for the 3rd ODI. I ma sure Pakistan will win in his absence and he can return to play the third ODI so Pakistan could win the series 2-1....

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Mian Tariq Mahmud

Sep 05, 2012 04:10pm

Dear Editor, I had only written a fact but you can amend my previous message as following: " As compared to Waseem Akram's own behavior in the past it is not a surprise to many if he is unhappy about a successful captain like Misbah who is a gentleman and who has always displayed superior qualities of character and integrity. Misbah can fight against the intrigues and dirty politics of Pakistani Cricket to a certain extent but to a certain extent. It is now proven that the responsibility of losing the 3rd ODI against Australia lied on elements other than Misbah and surely Shahid Afridi. From Mian Tariq at Burlington

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Asif Jafri

Sep 04, 2012 11:59pm

Meaning we will lose the third T20.

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malik

Sep 05, 2012 09:28am

good he should retire after t20 wc

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Salman Ahmed

Sep 05, 2012 12:04pm

It seems that all except Wasim Akram are happy that Afridi wont be playing!! Misbah is one of the best captains in cricket today. Wasim Akram is being exceptionally harsh of Misbah - ignoring poor performers like Afrdi, Akmal brothers and also forgetting that we were bowling in heavy dew!! Despite the dew and the 3 non-performers...the series and the match were quite close.

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SAK

Sep 04, 2012 09:41pm

Afridi is not performing since long time anyways so no worries let him take a permanent break from Pakistan cricket and make room for a competent youngster. Afridi can try working as a comentrator or he can start his own cricket school but please leave pakistani cricket alone.

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Rehan

Sep 05, 2012 05:35am

Its a news of the day !! let him take rest and come back after T20 world cup. I am surprised Akmal brothers are still there. Kamran played well in his stint with SLPL and has failed miserably in this series. Sloppy behind stumps and irresponsible batting. Umar needs to put on his Green Lip Sticks to raise his performance... I hope Shoaib performs in this series its indeed long overdue

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ali

Sep 05, 2012 03:35am

Mr. Boom Boom is now a Doom Doom and it is time he should retire.

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maria

Sep 06, 2012 03:08pm

shame on you Pakistani people u should defence him. he is a hero of ur country,he is not an common player,he is a match winner,don't forget that moment when Pakistan won many matches coss of his winning performance.learn from Indians.how to back players

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