Pakistan will begin their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 campaign versus India on October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Ahead of the match against their arch-rivals, Pakistan are set to play two warm-up games – versus England and Afghanistan on October 17 and 19, respectively.
In the meantime, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shared an update regarding their premier fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to PCB, Afridi will join the Pakistan squad in Australia after undergoing his rehabilitation programme under the supervision of their Medical Advisory Committee.
“I am super excited at the prospect of rejoining the national side for the T20 World Cup and playing my part in the campaign,” Shaheen was quoted as saying to the reporters.
“It has been a difficult period for me to be away from the game and the team I love the most, and not be part of some gruelling and exciting matches.
“I have been bowling six to eight overs trouble-free for the past 10 days with full run-up and pace. While I have enjoyed bowling and batting in the nets, nothing can replace the feel of match environment and I can’t wait to be in that setting,” the left-arm pacer added.
The team management will assess Shaheen’s match fitness during the two warm-up matches. If deemed fit, Afridi will be available for selection for the first game against India. In last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, Shaheed destroyed Team India’s top order, picking up the big wickets of KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in his 4-over spell.
