Pakistan received a big blow as pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the Asia Cup due to an injury.
Shaheen Afridi has been advised by Pakistan Cricket Board Advisory Committee and independent specialists to take four to six weeks rest after his latest scans and tests.
Because of four to six weeks rest, Afridi has not only been ruled out of the Asia Cup but also from the home series against England, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said in a statement.
The press release has also said that the pacer will be expected to be available for competitive cricket in October for T20 international tri-series followed by International Cricket Council’s (ICC) T20 World Cup in Australia.
Shaheen has been suffering from a right knee ligament injury since the first test match against Sri Lanka.
The Asia Cup will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from August 27. Pakistan will face its arch rival India in its first match on August 28. Cricket fans in Pakistan have been expecting the same clash between the two teams like the one in T20 World Cup.
PCB Chief Medical Officer Dr. Najeebullah Soomro has said that he had spoken with Shaheen and he was upset with the news.
Sports and Exercise Medicine Department of PCB would keep working with the pacer to ensure his safe return to competitive cricket. Shaheen would stay with the squad for completion of rehabilitation. His replacement would be announced by PCB within a few days.
