The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has resumed his rehabilitation in Karachi, saying that this will enable his “smooth comeback” to play.
Afridi, who is regarded as one of the most deadly fast bowlers in contemporary cricket, injured his right knee ligament while fielding during the first Test match against Sri Lanka in July.
In time for the T20 World Cup in October of last year, the left-arm pacer made a comeback to the game. He injured his knee, though, after landing on it while taking a catch and aggravating it during the tournament’s final on November 13 versus England.
Afridi struggled to get up off the ground and was unable to complete his four overs as required. The injury ultimately cost Pakistan the game, as the English hitters pounded Iftikhar Ahmed, who finished out Afridi’s incomplete over by bowling.
The PCB provided fans with an update on Afridi’s recovery on Monday by announcing that he would resume his recovery in Karachi under the care of the national team’s medical personnel. This measure would enable the medical team to monitor Shaheen’s progress and prepare the path for his seamless return to action, it was said.
The cricket board also released a status report on fast bowler Haris Rauf, who has been sidelined since last month due to a quad muscle strain.
“The interim selection committee and team management have invited right-arm fast bowler Haris Rauf to be assessed by the team’s medical staff so a decision on his availability for the three One-Day Internationals against New Zealand — to be played next week — can be made,” the board said.
