At the T20 World Cup in Australia, Pakistan, a former champion, will rely on pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi to be at his destructive best.
After overcoming a right knee injury sustained in the first Test against Sri Lanka in July, the 22-year-old was permitted to join the team on Tuesday.
He missed the tri-series this week in New Zealand, the T20 series against England, and the Asia Cup. After a lengthy time of rehab in London, the tall left-arm fast bowler will depart for Australia. He will play two warm-up matches in Brisbane the following week to restore his rhythm, the first of which is against England on Monday.
In order to be ready for their amazing encounter against India at the expansive Melbourne Cricket Ground on October 23, which is predicted to draw 90,000 fans, Pakistan will play a final warm-up match against Afghanistan on the following Wednesday.
In the T20 World Cup in Dubai last year, Shaheen destroyed India’s top order by removing Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli, finishing with scores of 3-31 as Pakistan cruised to a 10-wicket victory.
Pakistan’s maiden World Cup win against India set up the team’s march to the semi-final, where they lost to eventual champions Australia.
The captain, Babar Azam, said, “He has recovered nicely, and we are certain that he will be at his best come the India game.”
“Shaheen leads our strong fast bowling attack for us.”
Fakhar Zaman, a top-order batsman who made 55 runs unbeaten against Australia in last year’s semi-final, is also making progress after suffering a knee injury.
The nation’s cricket body announced on Tuesday that Zaman, one of the three traveling reserves for the T20 World Cup, would accompany Shaheen to Brisbane to finish his recovery.
