LAHORE: Concerns around the future of Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi’s career fizzled out Monday as the Pakistan Cricket Board said there were “no signs of injury” after the bowler walked off during the T20 World Cup final loss against England in Melbourne a day earlier.
Shaheen landed awkwardly on his right knee while taking a catch to dismiss batter Harry Brook in what ended up being a five-wicket defeat for Babar Azam and co. before aborting his third over — the 15th of the innings — after the first delivery.
The 22-year-old came into the World Cup after 12 weeks on the sidelines following a knee injury during a Test match against Sri Lanka in July and the setback in the final triggered fears over his long-term future as Pakistan’s premier fast bowler.
The PCB, however, said it had “advised” Shaheen just two weeks of rehabilitation adding that the feared injury was nothing but “discomfort” following impact during the fielding effort.
“The scan conducted on Monday morning prior to the team’s departure for Pakistan, has confirmed there were no signs of an injury and the knee discomfort was likely ‘due to a forced knee flexion whilst landing’,” the board said in a statement referring to medical reports.
According to the PCB, Shaheen was in “high spirits” after discussions between its chief medical officer and Australian knee specialist Peter D’Alessandro confirmed there was no injury.
“Shaheen will undergo rehabilitation and conditioning programme that has been designed to strengthen his knee at the National High Performance Centre few days after his return to Pakistan,” read the statement.
“Shaheen’s return to international cricket will be subject to the champion fast bowler’s successful completion of the rehabilitation programme and following go-aheads by the medical staff.”
Pakistan are scheduled to host England for a three-match Test series starting Dec. 1 before they take on New Zealand in two Tests and three One-day Internationals also at home.
Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2022