There Are Concerns Over Shaheen Afridi's Fitness: Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has confessed that there are doubts over the fitness of the team’s top pacer Shaheen Afridi. He added that the fast bowler was selected for the Netherlands tour so that the team doctor and physio could monitor his improvement.

Due to a knee injury, Afridi was ruled out of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle last month. The 22-year-old sustained the injury on the fourth day of the series’ first Test.

We Are Hoping That Shaheen Afridi Can Play At Least One Match In The Netherlands: Babar Azam

While the pacer has not fully healed, he is flying to the Netherlands with the one-day squad. Babar explained the decision at a pre-departure press conference:

“There are concerns over Shaheen’s fitness. We are taking him along because the doctor and the physio are travelling with the team, so he can be looked after well. We are thinking from a long-term perspective.

There is the Asia Cup and the World Cup as well. We are trying to ensure he can get ready as soon as possible. We are hoping that he can play at least one match in the Netherlands. If not, then hopefully he can play in the Asia Cup.”

Afridi is a notable performer for Pakistan in all three versions of the game. He took four wickets in the team’s debut Test victory over Sri Lanka at Galle.

Given that Pakistan’s batting is highly reliant on Babar and Mohammad Rizwan, fans have been speculating if veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik will be called up again. Babar, on the other hand, dismissed the likelihood.

Malik, 40, was a member of Pakistan’s T20I World Cup squad last year. He has not appeared for the side since the second Twenty20 International against Bangladesh in Mirpur in November 2021.

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