Karachi 22 Aug, Karachi : Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq has admitted that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi’s exclusion from the forthcoming Asia Cup is a massive setback for Babar Azam and Co.On August 20, Afridi was disqualified out of Asia Cup, starting on August 27 in the UAE and then a seven-match home T20I series against England from September 20 until October 2 due a right knee ligament injuries.The injury, which occurred following medical advice of 4 to 6 weeks of rest, also excludes Afridi out of Pakistan playing against India in Asia Cup on August 28 in Dubai.
Shaheen was a key part in Pakistan’s huge ten-wicket victory against India this year in the men’s T20 World Cup at the same venue.He picked an impressive 331 in his four innings while limiting India to 150.Shaheen’s efforts were instrumental in helping Pakistan achieve their first victory over India in the Men’s World Cups.
“It’s an enormous loss for Pakistan that Shaheen Shah Afridi is ruled out of the Asia Cup.If you look back at the last game against India, he created pressure from the first ball in the first version of the T20 World Cup.It’s a difficult choice for Pakistan as Shaheen was ruled out of the competition,” Inzamam said Inzamam in his Youtube channel.
Afridi is likely to play the game in October with the T20I tri-series in New Zealand, also featuring Bangladesh as the third team to be followed by the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia in October and November.
Even though Afridi is not part of the marquee event, Inzamam feels that India-Pakistan match will live up the expectations.”But injuries are a normal part of the game since these kinds of incidents occur to players.When he’s not there, the other players are putting in impressive performances.I’m still expecting the India-Pakistan cricket match to be an amazing one regardless of the venue and excellent cricket to be watched since both teams play T20 cricket extremely well.”
On Monday, earlier earlier on Monday, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) introduced in the young pace bowler from right arm Mohammad Hafsain as Afridi’s replacement to play in the Asia Cup, starting from August 27 in the UAE.
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