Picture Credit: Twitter

Picture Credit: Twitter

Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will complete his rehabilitation on his injured knee in London, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) informed on Monday. The left-arm pacer who sustained the injury during a tour to Sri Lanka was ruled out of the Asia Cup as well as the upcoming home T20I series against England. Afridi is expected to recover in time for the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. 

The 22-year-old pacer travelled with the team to the Netherlands earlier this month for the three-match ODI series as the PCB wanted the pacer to continue his rehabilitation program with the national team doctor and physiotherapist. Afridi also travelled with the team to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to continue his rehab program but the PCB has now decided to send the pacer to London for a quick and better recovery. 

“Shaheen Shah Afridi requires uninterrupted, dedicated knee specialist care and London offers some of the best sports medical and rehabilitation facilities in the world,” PCB chief medical officer Najeebullah Soomro said in a statement. “The medical department will receive daily feedback on his progress whilst in London and we are confident Shaheen will return to full fitness before the T20 World Cup.”

Notably, Shaheen Afridi was missed in his team’s match against India. Pakistan lost the match by five wickets after getting bundled out for 147. Although Naseem Shah did a terrific job to provide an early breakthrough in the form of KL Rahul’s wicket, Pakistan could not stop India from chasing down the total. 

Hardik Pandya was the star for the Men in Blue as the 28-year-old put on all-round performance. Pandya took three wickets with the ball in his four overs and then scored a quickfire 33* off 17 balls to win the match for India.